On a sunny Saturday morning at the Honda Hoot, more than 150 people joined the Knoxville Ride for Kids® to raise over $46,000 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's medical research and family support programs.
From Chilhowee Park, the riders followed their police escort on scenic back roads of east Tennessee, with rolling hills and pastoral views. Their destination was picturesque Douglas Dam, where they gathered under a big-top tent along the tree-lined banks of the French Broad River.
Five local brain tumor patients were featured in the Celebration of Life program. From eighth grader Jessica S. to long-term survivor Greg, 30, their stories inspired and cheered the crowd.
Said Kristen, 21, a nursing student, "Some say I'm a hero, but the true heroes are those of you here today. Together we will fight for a cure. Together we will survive and find that cure." The crowd also heard from pediatric oncology social worker Regina Johnson of East Tennessee Children's Hospital.
The event raised a total of $46,458. Doug and Lori Stanphill were top individual fundraisers with $9,729 in donations. The top club was Cool Springs Honda Rider's Club of Franklin, Tenn., with $10,029, and the customers of Cool Springs Honda made it the top motorcycle business by contributing $10,064. Kristen Shumpert of Oak Ridge, Tenn., won the grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle.
Special thanks for a great day went to the hardworking event volunteers and the Knoxville task force, led by Geoffrey Greene and Nancy and Dave Miller and visitation leaders Betty and Dave Roberts.
