WEEKEND RIDE FOR KIDS® EVENTS RAISE $138,000 TO FIGHT CHILDHOOD BRAIN TUMORS Motorcyclists delivered saddlebags full of hope to childhood brain tumor survivors on June 10, raising $138,670 at three Ride for Kids® events. Proceeds from the rides in Cleveland, Ohio, Golden, Colo., and San Bernardino, Calif., went to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s medical research and family support programs. Colorado tops $49,000 in donations The fourth annual Colorado Ride for Kids® attracted 225 supporters and raised more than $49,000 on a sunny morning in Golden. Motorcyclists left from Heritage Square Park with a police escort, following winding mountain roads into the Front Range with wide vistas of snow-capped peaks. When they pulled into Jefferson County Services back in Golden, it was time for a light lunch and the uplifting Celebration of Life program. The stars of the day were four local brain tumor survivors, including 20-year-old Brystal, a PBTF scholarship recipient. Said Sara, also 20, “It was my first motorcycle ride and I loved every minute of it.” The crowd was thrilled to see the progress made by two longtime Colorado stars, 14-year-olds Ben and Spencer. Ben, who has attended the event in a wheelchair for several years, was able to walk on stage with assistance for the first time. And Spencer’s hair has grown back since last year’s event, when he was completely bald. Pediatric oncology nurse Jody Dickerson thanked the riders for their contributions to medical research and family support. The Colorado event raised $49,205. The top individual fundraisers were Paula Wilderman, Chris Spanos and Jed Johnson with $12,733. The BMW Motorcycle Club of Colorado turned in $7,968 to become the top club, and the top motorcycle business was BMW of Denver with $12,898. Linda Sheely of Elbert, Colo., won the grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle. Many thanks to the local task force, led by Alison and Gray Buckley, Paula Wilderman and Chris Spanos, along with the event volunteers, for organizing a great Ride for Kids event. Dual sporters raise $46,000 in Southern California The 240 enthusiasts at the 15th annual Southern California Dual Sport Ride for Kids® in San Bernardino helped raise more than $46,000. Brain tumor survivors celebrate the total raised at the Southern California event. After a delicious pancake breakfast under sunny skies at Glen Helen Raceway, the crowd heard from five young brain tumor survivors, including Trent, 12, who has been coming to this event for 11 years. Brian was there with his 17-year-old son Ben. “I once was in your seat raising money for a cause, and then my son was diagnosed with a brain tumor,” he said. “It teaches you that it can happen to anybody. Without the PBTF and people like you, I don’t know where we would be.” Dr. Robert Seeger, a PBTF-funded researcher at Childrens Hospital in Los Angeles, said, “We are very proud to be associated with the PBTF and everything that they stand for.” After the program, the dual sporters took off for a 90-mile trek over remote trails and gravel roads in the San Bernardino National Forest, with a lunch stop at Lake Silverwood. The Southern California Ride for Kids® raised a total of $46,239. The top individual fundraiser was Chris Casteal of Simi Valley, CA with $2,480. The top club was the Orange County Dualies with $23,770. The top motorcycle business was Beaumont Honda with $27,560. Larry Langley of North Fork, Calif., won the grand prize Honda motorcycle. Thanks to the local task force, led by Roberta and Jim Woods and Buddy Percin, visitation leader Paul Flanders, and the event volunteers for putting together a terrific day for the kids, their families and the dual sport bikers. Cleveland support continues to grow The third annual Cleveland Ride for Kids® was bigger than ever before, with more than $43,000 raised. The motorcyclists were in for a treat when they followed their police escort from Rocky River High School. Their ride traveled through the Cleveland Metroparks along streams and lush green countryside on the way to Woodridge Middle School in Peninsula. The fun continued at the Celebration of Life program after the ride. Sharing their stories were seven local brain tumor survivors, including a pair of 4-year-olds, Lucy and Paige. A huge inspiration for the kids and their parents was Lindy, at 33 a long-term survivor of her childhood brain tumor. “I am proof that there is always hope to beat this disease, always hope for tomorrow because of your support,” she told the crowd of 225 supporters. Pediatric oncologist Chad Jacobson from Children’s Hospital of Cleveland thanked the participants for “all the love and support you give the patient families.” The Cleveland Ride for Kids® raised $43,226. The top individual fundraisers were Rich and Jennifer Silva of Cleveland with $6,973, while the top club was GWRRA OH Chapter C3 from Strongsville with $4,803. Customers of Honda of Avon made it the top motorcycle business with $7,259 in donations, and Sandy Barrow of Rocky River won the grand-prize Honda motorcycle. Special thanks to the local task force, led by Ruth and David Ostoich and Frank Strack, along with the event volunteers, for hosting a great event. About the PBTF Ride for Kids® Since 1984, the national Ride for Kids® program and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) have promoted childhood brain tumor research and provided family support through free literature about brain tumors, educational newsletters, online conferences and college scholarships. With the help of America’s motorcycling community, the PBTF has become the world’s largest non-governmental source of funding for childhood brain tumor research. The next PBTF Ride for Kids® events are Saturday, June 23 in Knoxville, Tenn. (part of the Honda Hoot) and Sunday, June 24 in San Francisco, Calif. For more information, go to rideforkids.org or call 800-253-6530.