Ride for Kids® closed out the month of July with great events in Marysville, Ohio, and Kansas City, Kan., over the weekend. The two rides raised a total of $112,327 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s medical research and family support programs. Ohio riders show support for kids Honda of America Manufacturing hosted the 18th annual Marysville Ride for Kids® on Saturday, July 25. The event attracted more than 200 people who brought $65,359 in donations. The police-escorted ride went through four covered bridges on its tour of the Union County countryside. Skies were overcast, but the rain held off until the Celebration of Life was underway. This program honored nine local brain tumor survivors, from 8-year-old J.J. to PBTF scholarship recipient Caitlin. Terri, mother of 10-year-old Jenna, fought back tears as she expressed her appreciation. “Thanks to everyone here for your faithfulness and dedication to support the work of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation,” she said. “When your child is diagnosed, you feel helpless. You all make a difference.” The riders also heard from Dr. Randal Olshefski, associate chief of clinical practice for hematology and oncology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. The first-place fundraisers were: * Individual: Gerald Keeler, $7,777 * Club/Chapter: GWRRA OH-D3, $11,458 * Motorcycle Business: Honda Marysville Motorsports, $9,258 The grand-prize Honda motorcycle winner was Ken Denman of Marysville. Many thanks went to task force leader Art Baldwin and his volunteer team for organizing a memorable Marysville Ride for Kids®. Kansas City keeps up the pace Over 250 motorcyclists and supporters attended the sixth Kansas City Ride for Kids® on Sunday, July 26. Together they raised $46,968 for the PBTF. The riders and their police escorts left Johnson Community College in Overland Park and enjoyed a sunny ride through scenic Heritage Park and past Lake Olathe. Back at the college for the Celebration of Life program, the riders heard from 10 local brain tumor survivors, including 8-year-olds Carter and Noah and PBTF college scholarship recipients Alicia and Jennifer. Dr. Richard Shore, assistant professor of pediatrics at Children’s Mercy Hospital, said, “It takes a very long time to find the answers in research.”¦ What you are doing is so very important to these families.” The top fundraisers were: * Individuals: Gary & Mary Droege, $5,432 * Club/Chapter: Motorcycle Touring Assn. MO-1, $6,492 * Motorcycle Business: Hub Cycle, $7,062 Don Decker of Lees Summit, Mo., won the drawing for a Honda motorcycle. Many thanks went to the local task force and event volunteers, led by Jeff Griswold, Darren Marshall, and Teresa Meyer. 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. The next Ride for Kids® events are on Aug. 2 in Hudson Valley, N.Y., and Wisconsin. For more information, go to http://www.rideforkids.org/ or call 800-253-6530.