Motorcyclists from around the country rode together at the sixth annual Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) Ride for Kids® event in Knoxville on June 24 to raise more than $58,000 for childhood brain tumor research.
The 200 participants gathered at Chilhowee Park for the ride, part of the annual Honda Hoot®. They followed a police escort along a beautiful route through the back country roads of Knox County to the park-like setting of Douglas Dam on the Tennessee River.
There the riders enjoyed lunch during the moving Celebration of Life program. Three local pediatric brain tumor survivors spoke from the stage, including 6-year-old Zack and 21-year-old Dawn, who was accompanied by her seeing-eye dog, Barkley. They were joined by Greg, an adult survivor of a childhood brain tumor who is now an avid motorcyclist.
Dr. Ray Pais, director of Hematology/Oncology at East Tennessee Children's Hospital, spoke for the medical community. "The [list of] people the PBTF are funding with your donations reads like a who's who of neuro-oncology," he said.
The total raised at the sixth annual Knoxville event was $58,642. The top individual fundraisers were Doug and Lori Stanphill of Nashville, who brought $12,500. Members of the top club, Tennessee Honda Riders Club of Murfreesboro, turned in $14,413. The top motorcycle business was Sloan's Honda of Murfreesboro with $14,364 in donations. The grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle, went to Sean Vojtasko of Cumming, Ga.
Special thanks to the Knoxville volunteer task force leaders, Geoffrey Greene and Nancy and Dave Miller, visitation leaders Betty and Dave Roberts, task force members and day-of-event volunteers, for putting together a great event.
