It was a perfect day for a ride in Overland Park, Kan., on July 23 as 275 motorcyclists and friends came together for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's (PBTF) Kansas City Ride for Kids®. The event raised more than $34,000 for medical research and family support programs.
The third annual event got underway as a light breeze blew under sunny skies at Johnson County Community College. Motorcyclists enjoyed a leisurely, police-escorted ride past horse farms, streams and woods before returning for the Celebration of Life program.
There the participants celebrated the survivorship of 10 local children, ranging in age from 5-year-olds Noah and Carter to Ben, 12. "As a parent you have hopes and dreams for your children," said Matt, father of 10-year-old Elizabeth. "When you hear 'brain tumor' that all changes. It affects the whole family."
The crowd also heard from Dr. Maxine Heatherington, pediatric oncologist from Children's Mercy Hospital, and AMA road racer Dave Rosno, who raises money for the PBTF and other children's cancer charities.
The total raised at the Kansas City event was $34,269. The top individual fundraisers were Vicky and Lou Harding of Grain Valley, Mo., who brought $3,848. The top club was Parrot Heads of Kansas City with $3,014, while the customers of Dell's Honda donated $9,096 to make it the top motorcycle business. The grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle, went to Alan Beaty of Kansas City, Mo.
Special thanks went to Kansas City's task force leaders, Vicky Harding and Tim Hull, visitation leaders John and Diana Carkin, the hardworking volunteer task force and day-of-event volunteers, for organizing a super event.
