Motorcyclists at Ride for Kids events in California and North Carolina combined to raise more than $346,000 on Sunday, May 3. Proceeds from the rides benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF).
(top) A brain tumor patient talks in Torrance, CA. (
bottom) Los Angeles area riders raised over $220,000 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation during the Ride for Kids event at American Honda Motor Co. headquarters.
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.
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 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.
(top) Triangle Area brain tumor survivor Shango enjoys his sidecar ride. (bottom) Over $126,000 was raised for brain tumor research at Triangle Area Ride for Kids.
A gorgeous spring morning greeted the 750 participants at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area outside of Raleigh, N.C., for the PBTF’s sixth annual Triangle Area Ride for Kids.
The stars of the day were 14 local brain tumor survivors, including Quinn, 4, and Amelia, 7. Many of the children accompanied the motorcyclists for the ride around Jordan Lake, then shared their stories during the Celebration of Life program.
"Fifteen years ago I was diagnosed with a brain tumor," said Joey. "I am now 16 and proof that you can fight and win against this disease, thanks to everyone here."
The group also heard about the importance of research from Dr. Duane Mitchell of Duke University, home of a Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Institute.
Other special guests included Bob Dumas and the Showgram team of G105 in Raleigh and Chuck Marsh of 93.1 The Wolf in Greensboro. Miss Teen North Carolina International, Christina Roach, was there in memory of her sister Cora, who died of a brain tumor recently.
The event's announced total was $126,208. The top fundraisers were:
- Top Individual: Jerry Hart, $27,062
- Top Club/Chapter: Raleigh H.O.G., $34,345
- Top Motorcycle Business: Ray Price Harley-Davidson, $37,444
David Malie of Raleigh won the drawing for a new Honda motorcycle.
Thanks for a successful Triangle Area Ride for Kids went to the hardworking volunteers, led by Jerry Hart, Richard and Linda Berner, Roland Cargill and George and Peg Cherny.
About the PBTF Ride for Kids®
The national Ride for Kids program and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) promote childhood brain tumor research and provide family support through free literature about brain tumors, educational newsletters, online conferences and college scholarships. America's motorcycling community has helped the PBTF become the world's largest non-governmental source of funding for childhood brain tumor research.
This year there are 39 Ride for Kids events around the U.S., including a new event in Franklin, Tenn., on May 17. For more information, go to
www.rideforkids.org/ or call 800-253-6530.
