It was a great day in Kansas on July 22, as 245 motorcyclists and supporters joined forces for the Ride for Kids® in Overland Park. Together they raised more than $43,000 for the PBTF's medical research and family support programs.
The crowd gathered on an overcast morning at Johnson County Community College. Motorcyclists and their police escort were treated to superb ride along winding back roads, returning to the college as the sun broke through the clouds.
After a light lunch under a big-top tent, the Celebration of Life got underway. The program featured 11 local brain tumor patients, from 10-year-old baseball player Adam to Bethany, 19, who is attending college with the help of a PBTF scholarship.
Again and again, the children and their families thanked the motorcyclists for caring. "Whether you brought $35 or $3,500, I can't begin to explain how much we appreciate it," said Cindy, mother of 6-year-old brain tumor patient Noah.
Dr. Richard Shore, assistant professor of pediatrics at Children’s Mercy Hospital. alsp spoke. "In the Kansas City area, three to five kids a month are diagnosed with a brain tumor," he said. "Research is the only answer."
Other special guests included local radio disk jockey "Slacker" from 99.7 KYYS and AMA racer "Super" Dave Rosno.
The Kansas City event raised a total of $43,165. Alan Beatty of Kansas City, Mo., was the top individual fundraiser with $3,850. The Parrot Heads of Kansas City, Kan., raised $5,292 to earn top club honors, and Dells Honda of Blue Springs, Mo., was the top motorcycle business with $10,421 in customer contributions. Jeff Kurtz of Carbondale, Kan., won the grand-prize Honda motorcycle.
A great big thank-you went to the event's hardworking task force and event volunteers, led by Tim Hull and Teresa Meyer.
