Motorcyclists serve children in need at Ride for Kids® events in three states

September 12, 2011

Hundreds of motorcyclists in three states observed the Sept. 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance by helping children in need. Participants at Ride for Kids® events in Washington, Alabama and Indiana brought $182,793 in donations to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® (PBTF) for medical research and family support programs.

	“Ride for Kids® means a new hope for everyone,” brain tumor survivor Andrew said in Puget Sound.

Puget Sound rides for hope
Rider support for local brain tumor survivors is strong in the Seattle area, as the crowd of 335 proved at the 19th Puget Sound Ride for Kids®. The event raised $85,797 for the PBTF.

Fog gave way to sunny skies as the ride traveled from Remlinger Farms through the Cascade foothills and back again. The honored guests were Ride for Kids® "stars" Nick, Andrew, Claire, Xander, Allison, Judah, Anthony, Skyler, and Eric.

"I feel lucky. I've been coming for seven years and my child is still alive," Judah's father, Frank, told the riders. "When we found out Judah had a brain tumor, we contacted the PBTF and they overnighted us the information. You really find out who your friends are. Here we have people supporting us and we don't even know you."

The No. 1 fundraisers at the ride were:

• Individuals: Mick & Mary Rairdin, $11,490
• Club/Chapter: Members of GWTA WA-C, $19,411
• Motorcycle Business: Customers of Everett Powersports, $24,617

Donated Ride for Kids® drawing prizes went to Mary Rairdin (Honda motorcycle); Greg Clark (AGV helmet); Jim Waterman (Dunlop tire); Jesse Ficks (Tourmaster luggage); and Julie Berg (Cardo Systems headset).

Puget Sound's volunteer task force was led this year by Ken Watson, Marie Chavez, Clarine and Eddie Dunn, Mike Tennyson, and Mary Rairdin. Next yearís ride is on Sunday, Sept. 9.

	Birmingham star Bayleigh (left) took a break from treatment to ride with her VIP escort.

Birmingham riders fight for the kids
Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Ala., is home to a world-class motorcycle museum and race course. Yesterday it also hosted the Birmingham Ride for Kids®, which raised $73,231 for the PBTF.

Brain tumor survivors Matt, Kaitlin, Karissa, Zachary, Michael, and Bayleigh led the ride on a sunny, breezy morning. After a finishing lap around the Barber track, the 450 participants heard from these Ride for Kids® "stars."

"Kids like us feel like all we can do is fight the disease, so we depend on you to raise the money to fund the research to find a cure," Bayleigh told them.

The event's leading fundraisers were:

• Individual: Phil Phillips, $10,686
• Club/Chapter: GWRRA AL-B members, $9,655
• Motorcycle Business: Cycle World of Gadsden customers, $10,736

Donated drawing prizes went to Tommy Keener (Honda motorcycle); Doris Gill (AGV helmet); Dewey Cold (Dunlop tire); Michael Greenwood (Tourmaster luggage); and Anita Fosnight (Cardo Systems headset).

The Birmingham Ride for Kids® was organized by a dedicated volunteer task force, led by Stacy Ashby, Richard and Sue Chapman, and Randall and Bonnie Southerland. Mark your calendar now for the next ride on Sept. 9, 2012.

	Grace talks to the audience in Indianapolis.

Survivors get support in Indianapolis
Riders crossed the bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway yesterday as part of the local Ride for Kids®, an event that raised $23,765 for the PBTF.

The ride went through scenic Eagle Creek and ended with a lap around the famous Speedway track on an overcast morning with light rain.

Brain tumor survivors Brianna, Lindy, Sara, Jon, Grace, and Juliana inspired the crowd of 160 during the Celebration of Life program after the ride.

Juliana, a PBTF college scholarship recipient, said, "It means a lot as a 13-year survivor that you are supporting us."

The stars were joined by Dr. Larry Bates, an oncologist at St. Francis Hospital, and neuro-oncology nurse Cindy White from Riley Hospital.

The top fundraisers were:

• Individuals: Rex & Kathy Harrold, $10,691
• Club/Chapter: Members of GWRRA IN-A2, $7,147
• Motorcycle Business: Customers of Dreyer Honda, $10,741

The donated Ride for Kids® drawing prizes went to Donna Miller (Honda motorcycle); Debbie Hufferd (AGV helmet); Thomas Franklin (Dunlop tire); Judy Edwards (Tourmaster luggage); and Brian Gibson (Cardo Systems headset).

The all-volunteer task force in Indianapolis was led this year by Rex and Kathy Harrold and Jim and Patsy Gibson. Ride with us next year on Sunday, Sept. 9.

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 ©.