2026 Red Knights MN4 Firefighters Fighting Cancer Benefit
Since 2010, the Red Knights MN Chapter 4 has proudly hosted our annual Firefighters Fighting Cancer Benefit. What began as a simple motorcycle ride among friends has grown into a powerful tradition rooted in brotherhood, community, and purpose.
Cancer is one of the leading causes of firefighter line-of-duty deaths. The risks that come with the job do not end when the fire is out. Over the years, we have lost friends and family members to this disease — and that is why this event means so much to us. This ride is personal. It is our way of standing beside those who are battling cancer and honoring those we have lost.
While our event started as a motorcycle ride, it has grown into much more. We still kick off the day with our morning benefit ride, but the celebration continues with live music, great food, games, raffles, and a live and silent auction. It has become a full day of community, support, and fundraising for an incredible cause.
You do not have to ride a motorcycle to be part of this event. We invite anyone and everyone to join us — riders, families, friends, and community members alike. Come out, have a great time, and help us make a difference for firefighters and their families.
Together, we ride. Together, we fight. Together, we make a difference!
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2025 Beneficiaries
GENAYA VORWEK
Genaya works as a Physical Therapist Assistant in a Transitional Care Unit. She and her husband Sterling have been married for 13 years in May. They have two boys Parker (8) and Grayson (2). As a family they enjoy spending time together playing games, reading and being outside.
Genaya was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer in September 2024. After her diagnosis, she found out that she has what is called the BRCA1 gene mutation.
Since her diagnosis, Genaya has undergone 16 rounds of chemotherapy over 6 months. Genaya will be undergoing a few surgeries to decrease the risk of cancer returning as well significantly reducing her risk of ovarian cancer.
SHAWN JOHNSON
Shawn joined the Minnetonka Fire Department as a paid-on-call firefighter in 2006, fighting all manner of fire, from grass fires, car fires, and running medical calls in the city. Shawn became a station Lieutenant in 2008, managing 6 firefighters and having to ran both engine and truck companies for two years. Shawn was promoted to Department Training Captain in 2011, provided training to 80+ firefighters and Officers. The training provided consisted of teaching everything from basic firefighter and technical rescue operations.
Shawn became a National Association of Fire Investigation (NAFI) certified fire investigator in 2011. Just before completing his NAFI certification, he joined the Hennepin County Fire Investigation Team (HCFIT). HCFIT is an investigation team to help fire departments within Hennepin County without fire investigators, meet the state requirement of determining origin and cause of fires within their AHJs. Shawn became a lead investigator for HCFIT in 2014 and then took over as Team Supervisor in 2019. Shawn remains a member of HCFIT as a fire investigator and conducts, interviews, takes exterior photographs, and conducts fire investigation training for fire departments within Hennepin County.
Shawn became a full-time Fire Inspector for the Minnetonka Fire Department in 2016 and was promoted to Deputy Fire Marshal in early 2024.
In April of 2024, Shawn was diagnosed with stage four cancer, and as of today, is still working at the Minnetonka Fire Department and continues the battle to overcome the cancer and the side effects of treatment.
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Whether you ride or not, we’d love for you to join us!
ALL ARE WELCOME!
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The Minnesota Red Knights Motorcycle Club Chapter #4 is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. All funds raised through our Annual Benefit Ride are directed entirely to the selected beneficiary or beneficiaries.