The 11th annual New England Ride for Kids® raised $69,505 for the PBTF, a 29 percent increase over last year's total.
It was a clear, beautiful morning as more than 240 riders and supporters from around the region gathered in North Oxford, Mass. The riders and their police escort enjoyed a scenic tour of the foothills of the Berkshires before returning for the Celebration of Life program.
Three local brain tumor survivors — Ryen, 8, Caitlin, 18, and PBTF scholarship recipient Gary, 19 — were honored during the program. They thanked the motorcyclists for making a difference in the search for a cure, as did neuro-oncologist Nicole Ullrich of Children's Hospital in Boston.
"Research is the key and all of you are the solution," said Dr. Ullrich. "The money goes a long way, and none of this would be possible without the Ride for Kids® and all of you."
Dave Odess and Perry Robertson of Randolph, Mass., were top fundraisers with $20,315, and Odess also won the grand-prize Honda. GWRRA RI-B of Lincoln was top club/chapter with $7,963 in donations, and generous customers of Venco Wings of Loudon, N.H., made it the top motorcycle business, with $28,323 raised.
Many thanks for a wonderful day went to the New England event's dedicated volunteers and task force members, led by Shirley and Wayne Anderson, Ron and Cheryl Hrasna, and visitation leader Dave Odess.
