The fourth annual Utah Ride for Kids® raised $54,380 for the PBTF, breaking the event's previous records and totaling a 90 percent increase over last year's results.
Over 280 motorcyclists and supporters gathered at This Is the Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City on a sunny, windy morning. A police escort led the riders through Emigration Canyon, which offered spectacular long-range views of massive rock formations and three reservoirs.
When the motorcyclists disembarked at shady Riverside Park in Morgan City, the Celebration of Life program began. There, seven local brain tumor survivors, including Jimmy, 7, and PBTF scholarship recipient Lindsey, 22, told the fundraisers about their experiences.
Francine Dea, whose grandchild died of a brain tumor, spoke for many patient families when she said, "I don't want anyone to have to go through what we went through, and hopefully by being here we can find a cure."
Walter and Donna Young of Elko, Nev., raised $9,013 to take top fundraiser honors. The top chapter/club was GWRRA UT-M, whose members brought $14,557, and the top dealer was 5th Gear of Elko with $12,423. Spiro Politis of Riverton, Utah, won the grand prize, a new Honda motorcycle.
A big thank-you went to the event's task force and event volunteers, led by Duane and Sharen Carlile and Harvey and Carol Dean.
