The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) and its Ride for Kids® program celebrated a big win at the 18th annual Baltimore/Washington Ride for Kids®. Over 400 motorcyclists and supporters raised $196,468 for medical research and family support programs.
The event began at The Mall in Columbia, Md., under rainy skies. The day soon turned sunny and warm as the riders and their police escort spent over 90 minutes twisting through the Maryland countryside.
After disembarking at the Jack & Jill Ice Cream Distribution Center in Columbia, the motorcyclists enjoyed lunch and settled in for a terrific Celebration of Life program. They heard about the achievements of 11 local brain tumor survivors, including 15-year-old Maggie, who held bake sales to raise $800 for the PBTF.
Zach, 16, spent his summer helping his dad rebuild a 1967 Mustang. “Thanks for all you do, the money you raise helps to keep us here,” he told the crowd.
These Ride for Kids® “stars” were also joined by Dr. Greg Riggins, leader of the Brain Cancer Biology and Therapy Research Laboratory at Johns Hopkins, and Dr. Roger Packer, director of the Brain Tumor Institute at Children’s National Medical Center and PBTF Scientific Advisory Board member.
The first-place fundraisers were:
• Individual: Bob Henig, $59,012
• Chapter/Club: The Tribe, $20,785
• Motorcycle Business: Bob’s BMW, $84,177
Al Leathers of Centreville, Va., won the grand prize, a new Honda motorcycle.
Special thanks went to the event’s all-volunteer task force, led in 2009 by Taryn Wilson-Wheatley, Marcy Rich and Joe Pruss.
