From a press release issued by Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation:

Ride for Kids(r) events in Asheville, NC and Ann Arbor, MI raise money for childhood brain tumor research


The rumbling sound of 425 motorcycles filled the air of the Biltmore Square Mall parking lot in Asheville, NC on Sunday, August 29th as motorcyclists prepared to depart on the 11th Annual Asheville Ride for Kids(r). Families around the country who have children with brain tumors know that the sound of motorcycles means hope. Since 1984, the Ride for Kids(r) has been raising money to fund the research and family support programs of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. The parade of motorcycles and their police escort wound its way through the majestic mountains of Western North Carolina before arriving at Lake Lure, the site of the Celebration of Life program. There, under the blue and white striped celebratory “Big Top Tent,” the 750 motorcyclists, volunteers, fundraisers, patient families and researchers celebrated the fact that $109,986 had been raised for childhood brain tumor research.

The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation was honored to have two of its Scientific Advisory Board members present at the Asheville Ride for Kid(r). Dr. Francis Ali-Osman and Dr. Darell Bigner, both of Duke University, were on hand at this year’s festivities. Dr. Bigner, who is also Director of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Institute at Duke, told those gathered that grants from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation have allowed his team of researchers to concentrate on childhood brain tumor research. He also told the motorcyclists that progress could not be made without their fundraising efforts.

The 2004 Asheville Ride for Kids(r) was in memory of young Mary Ann, a precious young Asheville girl who lost her battle with a childhood brain tumor in 2003. Her father, Rocky, told the motorcyclists that “I am truly humbled and honored by your fundraising efforts. Because of angels like yourself, Mary Ann’s spirit will live on forever.”

The Top Individual Fundraiser was Ray Hobby, who raised $29,410 in memory of his son who had a childhood brain tumor. The Top Club was GWRRA NC Chapter M2 whose members raised $12,545. MR Motorcycle of Asheville, NC was the Top Dealer with its customers raising $12,614. Kim Moore, of Spruce Pine, NC was the winner of a brand new Honda motorcycle donated by the American Honda Motor Company.

Special thanks to Asheville Ride for Kids(r) Task Force Leaders Terry and Shelba Murray, Dave Huey and their team of dedicated volunteers for a very successful event.



More than 600 miles away in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the 13th Annual Ann Arbor Ride for Kids(r) also took place on Sunday, August 29th. Despite the unseasonably cold and rainy weather, 425 motorcyclists, fundraisers, volunteers and patient families gathered to raise $106,239 for childhood brain tumor research.

After enjoying a police-escorted ride through Michigan’s lush and green rolling countryside, the motorcyclists gathered for the Celebration of Life program. There, the participants listened to eight young brain tumor survivors, the “Ride for Kids(r) stars”, being interviewed on-stage. Denni, a mother of one of the Ride for Kids(r) stars, commented, “Most of you think that PBTF stands for Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Many of us believe that it stands for Persistent Blessing and True Friend.”

The Top Individual Fundraiser was Randy Horton who raised $11,315. The Top Club was Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan whose members raised $21,876. The Top Shop was Maurell Products of Owosso, MI whose customers raised $12,985. Denni Proctor, of Allegan, MI, was the winner of a brand new Honda motorcycle donated by the American Honda Motor Company.

Thanks to Ann Arbor Ride for Kids(r) Task Force Leader Bill and Kathy Chapin and their dedicated team of volunteers for a well-run event.

The next Ride for Kids(r) event is on Sunday, September 12 Puget Sound (WA).

For more information about the Ride for Kids(r) and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, please visit www.rideforkids.org or www.pbtfus.org or call (800) 253-6530.