$304,000 raised at Oct. 2 Ride for Kids® events

October 3, 2011

Bighearted motorcyclists brought $304,239 in donations to three Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® (PBTF) Ride for Kids® events in Texas, California and Nevada on Oct. 2.

	PBTF college scholarship recipient Nora (left) gets ready to ride in Texas.

Dallas/Fort Worth revs it up
Texas riders cranked up the contributions for the PBTF at the ninth Dallas/Fort Worth Ride for Kids®. The 500 participants raised $156,749.

The group left Grapevine Mills Mall on a clear, sunny morning to ride for some very special survivors: Benjamin, Cassie P., Kami, Summer, John, Cassie M., Christina, Daniella, Shelby, LeighAnna, J.C., Heidi, Jerald, Nora, and Rachel.

After a tour of tree-lined country roads, the riders returned for a celebratory program. Many of the “stars” spoke, as did one of their parents.

“I have to be honest, until we started coming to the Ride for Kids we never had too much to do with motorcyclists, but we now know that you all have very big hearts, and I thank you for helping to save John’s life, and the lives of all the kids up here today and those not yet born,” said John’s father.

Added Dr. Joann Sanders from Cook Children’s Hospital, “The money you raise here today will go a long way in helping find even more answers and to keep moving research forward.”

The top fundraisers were:

• Individual: Sam Caine, $50,802
• Family team or organization: Caden Johnson Memorial Fund, $53,419
• Motorcycle club/chapter: Valkyrie Riders Cruiser Club, $16,803
• Motorcycle business: Customers of Maxim Honda, $35,788

Donated Ride for Kids® drawing prizes went to Jeff Latimer (Honda motorcycle); Richard Boslow (AGV helmet); Sam Caine (Dunlop tire and Tourmaster luggage); and John Mathiesen (Cardo Systems headset).

Special thanks went to the event’s all-volunteer task force, led this year by Gary and Julie Touchstone, Jeff Latimer, and Gen White. Ride with us next year on Sunday, Oct. 7.

	Malcolm is all smiles at the Northern California event.

Riders support research in Northern California
The PBTF’s 19th Northern California Ride for Kids® attracted 300 participants and raised $93,947 yesterday.

The crowd gathered at Solano Community College in Fairfield to cheer for Darren, Reiana, Liliana, Malcolm, Vanessa, Elias, Jaylen, and Chelsey. These local brain tumor survivors were the “stars” of the ride through the picturesque countryside.  

Many of these young people spoke to fundraisers after the ride, as did Dr. Nalin Gupta, a researcher at the PBTF Institute at the University of California, San Francisco.

“Your efforts to raise money is directly applied to our research,” Gupta said. “Our goal is to improve the quality of life for the survivors and find a cure. What you are doing is incredibly important.”       

The event’s leading fundraisers were:

• Individual: Amy Snyder, $17,215
• Motorcycle club/chapter: Curve Unit, $20,546
• Motorcycle business: Hillside Honda customers, $5,756

The donated Ride for Kids® drawing prizes went to M. Farrington (Honda motorcycle); Stefani Alexander (AGV helmet); Helena Kleker (Dunlop tire); Debbie Warren (Tourmaster luggage) and James Coleman (Cardo Systems headset).

Many thanks went to the hardworking volunteers who organized the event. This year’s leaders were Jim and Char Duncan. Save the date for next year’s ride on Sunday, Oct. 7.

	Las Vegas star Jaxson lights up the stage.

Las Vegas motorcyclists make a difference
The seventh Las Vegas Ride for Kids® raised $53,543 for the PBTF on a warm, sunny October morning.

Starting at Las Vegas International Speedway, riders toured back roads west of the city before meeting at Town Square for the Celebration of Life program. There the 460 participants heard from local brain tumor survivors Devin, Tobin, Hannah, Cheyenne, Nicole, Brandon, Bradley, Jaxson, Alex, and Nico.

“We have to live with [brain tumors] because we have to…you guys are here and have raised all this money because you want to,” said Alex. “Speaking for myself and all the other survivors up here, we thank you so much.”

Pediatric oncologist Jonathan Bernstein, director of the Children’s Specialty Center of Nevada, told the fundraisers about how research is changing lives.

The top contributors in Las Vegas were:

• Individual: Rob Mancini, $3,859
• Motorcycle club/chapter: Desert Riders, $5,922
• Motorcycle business: Customers of Carter Powersports, $14,533

Donated Ride for Kids® drawing prizes went to Tobin Volberding (Honda motorcycle); Judy Owen (AGV helmet); Thomas Lapeyrouse (Dunlop tire); Peggy Sanders (Tourmaster luggage); and Jon Casavant (Cardo Systems headset).

This event was planned by many local volunteers, led this year by Bill Gaither, Tami Belt, Frank and Linda Kostelac, and Tammy and James Richardson. Ride with us next year on Sunday, Sept. 30.

Ride for Kids®
302 Ridgefield Ct.
Asheville, NC 28806

828-665-6891
800-253-6530
828-665-6894 (fax)
e-mail: info@rideforkids.org
website: rideforkids.org

All materials of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® and Ride for Kids® contained herein or elsewhere are copyrighted ©.