Children with brain tumors received a Texas-sized helping hand at the Houston Ride for Kids® on April 29, which attracted more than 1,150 riders, fundraisers, patient families and volunteers and raised more than $227,000. Proceeds benefited the medical research and family support programs of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF).
Riders in the 15th annual event met at the Pasadena Convention Center and Fairgrounds on a warm, sunny morning. During their police-escorted tour of the countryside of southern Houston, they had the opportunity to pass themselves twice, once on the soaring heights of the Fred Hartman Bridge, and again as they circled the San Jacinto Monument.
After the ride the moving Celebration of Life program brought the motorcyclists face-to-face with local brain tumor survivors. The 14 stars of the day included Javier, a 3-year-old who recently took his first steps, and Darla, 19, a PBTF scholarship student.
Michael G.'s mom, Monya, said that when her son was diagnosed, he was given four months to live. "But because of all that you do for research, [he] has survived for five years," she told the cheering crowd.
A local researcher who receives PBTF funding told the motorcyclists that their donations are also vital to children's well-being. "It's very important for the children and families to keep a good attitude and continue to have fun. You not only help with the research, but you give [them] a day of fun," said Dr. Johannes Wolff, head of pediatric neuro-oncology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. He was joined by Dr. Jack Su of Texas Children's Hospital.
The total raised at the event was $227,345. Top individual fundraisers were Terry and Maggie Simms of Deer Park, Texas, with $17,226. The top chapter/club was the Cowboy Honda Red Riders of Beaumont, which brought in $41,799, and the customers of Northwest Honda of Houston made it the top motorcycle business with $58,587 in donations. Bruce Reed of Converse, Texas, won the grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle.
The Houston Ride for Kids® owes its success to the hard work of local task force leader Ronnie Lunsford, visitation leaders Judy and Steve Ferguson, the dedicated task force members, and the many day-of-event volunteers.
If you were unable to attend, send your donations to PBTF, 302 Ridgefield Ct., Asheville, NC 28806 to receive your premiums by mail.
