It was a perfect day for a ride on July 23 as 450 motorcyclists and friends came together for the 14th annual Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) Minnesota Ride for Kids®. Together they raised more than $83,500 for the medical research and family support programs.
From Century College in White Bear Lake, the motorcyclists and their police escort followed a 50-mile route over rolling and scenic terrain that wound through several farming communities before looping back to the college.
The Celebration of Life program after the ride featured eight local brain tumor survivors, including Katelyn, 7, and Lauren, 15. "We work hard, and always hope….and all of you are our hope," Lauren's mom, Darlene, told the group.
Missing from the event, but not from the riders' hearts, was longtime Ride for Kids® "star" Will Vossen, who had lost his battle against his brain tumor the week before at age 25. Will's dad, Paul, used a Dr. Seuss quote to describe his son's life: "Don't be sad because it's over. Be glad that it happened."
Dr. Joseph Neglia of the department of pediatrics at the University of Minnesota was also on hand to tell the crowd about the importance of brain tumor research.
The Minnesota ride raised a total of $83,536. Top individual fundraiser honors went to Paul and Deb Vossen of Spicer, Minn., who brought $7,000. Members of the Minnesota Wings Southern chapter turned in $9,591 to make it the top club. The top motorcycle business was Moon Motor Sports of Monticello, Minn., with $14,602 in donations. The grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle, went to Marilyn Elkie of St. Michael, Minn.
Special thanks went to Minnesota's task force leaders, Tippy Frank and Denny Schoeveller Sr., visitation leaders Sandy and Bruce Schafer, the dedicated task force volunteers and day-of-event volunteers, for hosting a great Ride for Kids® program.
