The first-ever Albuquerque Ride for Kids® was a huge success on April 23, with hundreds of generous motorcyclists turning in more than $59,400 in donations. Riders from six states, including Arizona, Colorado, California, Washington and Texas, came to show their support for children with brain tumors. The proceeds of the event benefit the medical research and family support programs of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF).
It was a warm, sunny morning as a long column of motorcycles, led by several young brain tumor survivors in sidecars, left Journal Pavilion in Albuquerque for a tour of the "Land of Enchantment." The police-escorted ride toured the gorgeous desert around the city, treating riders to sweeping views of the mountains before looping back to the Pavilion for the Celebration of Life program.
This unique feature of every Ride for Kids® event allows motorcyclists, fundraisers, patient families and volunteers to hear directly from local pediatric brain tumor survivors. These young "stars" tell their stories and offer thanks to all those who bring donations.
At the Albuquerque event, five survivors were the stars of the day: Nelson, 3; Octavio, 6; Matthew, 15; Danielle, 19; and Megan, 23. Megan shared her dreams with the crowd of 450, saying, "I love to ride horses and want to be a nurse's assistant." Her mom, Janice, said, "God is looking down and blessing this place, these people and these children."
The medical community was represented by Dr. Richard L. Heideman, professor of pediatrics at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque. "Your participation here today touches my heart and touches the hearts of so many patients," he told the motorcyclists.
The total raised at the Albuquerque event was $59,440, the third-highest total for a first-time Ride for Kids® event. Top individual fundraiser honors went to Ginny & Dick Stryker of Kirkland, Wash., who brought $5,100. The top club, Gold Wing Road Riders Association of New Mexico, Chapter W, contributed $23,022, and was supported by the presence of their national executive director, Don Brock, and Wing World editor Nick Hoppner. The customers of Accessory Pit of Albuquerque made it the top motorcycle business with $34,376 in donations. The grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle, went to the Strykers.
Special thanks for organizing a phenomenal first-time event go to Albuquerque's hardworking volunteer task force and day-of-event volunteers, led by Lynda and Rick Howell, Kathy and Ted Bates, and visitation leader Jackie Cooke.
