Despite heavy rain on Sept. 17, spirits were high at St. Louis' fifth Ride for Kids®, which raised $68,843 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's (PBTF) medical research and family support programs.
More than 350 motorcyclists and fundraisers met at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, then followed a police escort through the countryside to Meramec State Park in Sullivan.
There participants witnessed an inspiring Celebration of Life program with five local brain tumor survivors. Ride for Kids® star Hope elicited cheers when she said, "They found my tumor at 9 years old. I am now 12 and the tumor is gone."
"Our research is possible because of efforts from all of you," said Dr. Joshua Rubin, a pediatric oncologist from St. Louis Children's Hospital.
The top individual fundraisers were the David Piehl family of Troy, Mo., who brought $6,345. The top club was Servants to Christ's Calling of St. Louis, whose members raised $11,680, and the customers of Niehaus Cycles from Litchfield, Ill., turned in $13,602 to make it the top motorcycle business. Thomas Bartels from Hamilton, Ohio, won the drawing for a Honda motorcycle.
Many thanks to St. Louis task force leaders Mary and Greg Hoette and Angie and Norm Riekena, visitation leader Roger Snyder, the dedicated volunteer task force and event volunteers, for putting on a super ride.
