This year the Sacramento and San Francisco events combined to create the 17th Northern California Ride for Kids®. The 450 motorcyclists and supporters gathered at Solano Community College in Fairfield raised $120,273 for the PBTF.
The weather was clear and sunny as a police escort took the riders on a tour of wine country, complete with views of vineyards, mountains and farmland.
When the riders returned to the college, the Celebration of Life program recognized top fundraisers as well as 12 local brain tumor survivors. The youngest, Reiana and Liliyana, were only 4 years old.
One father spoke movingly of the challenges facing his 6-year-old son. “Right now Elias has a tumor,” said Ulises. “He is a young, innocent child. We are thankful for your support.”
Dr. Michael Edwards, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University, also thanked the motorcyclists for doing so much to fund childhood brain tumor research.
The top fundraisers were:
- Individual: Ann and Kirk Harry, $20,000
- Chapter/Club: Capital City Wings (GWRRA CA-C), $27,278
- Motorcycle Business: Fairfield Cycle Center, $22,120
The grand prize, a new Honda motorcycle, went to Charles Horner of Shingletown, Calif.
The Northern California Ride for Kids® was organized by task force leaders Jon and Cathy Carlson, Jack and Lillian Cushman, and Steve Long, with assistance from dozens of volunteers.
| Get a 2009 Ride for Kids® registration kit |
