More than 975 motorcyclists and supporters turned out for the 18th annual Los Angeles Ride for Kids at American Honda Motor Co. headquarters in Torrance. The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation event raised more than $220,000.
UPDATE: More funds were counted after the ride concluded. The new total is $243,000!
Participants enjoyed a coastline-hugging ride with incredible views of the Pacific. When they returned to Honda, a moving Celebration of Life program honored 11 childhood brain tumor survivors, including Dylan, 4, Regina, 9, and Peter, 21.
Chris Jones, father of PBTF scholarship recipient Bayleigh, spoke for many parents when he said, "What you did today brings us one step closer to the cure. Bayleigh has made it to college because of breakthroughs discovered due to the research you have funded."
Dr. Anat Epstein of Children's Hospital Los Angeles expressed her thanks for the fundraisers' commitment to the PBTF.
The event's announced total was $220,143. The top fundraisers were:
- Top Individual: Anthony and Alexa Weiner, $26,808
- Top Club/Chapter: Scotty's Riders, $57,175
- Top Motorcycle Business: California Harley-Davidson, $26,296
San Clemente resident Mike York and his daughter Amanda, another PBTF scholarship recipient, won the grand prize, a new Honda motorcycle.
The 2009 Los Angeles Ride for Kids was made possible by an amazing group of volunteers, led by Jeniffer McMullen, Steven Squire, Louis Vanderveen, and Brian Tinkler.
| Get a 2009 Ride for Kids® registration kit |
