From a press release issued by Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation:

Ride for Kids(r) raises a record $3.8 million in 2004 – Seven cities added for 2005

Asheville, N.C. – The nationally-renowned Ride for Kids(r)program wrapped up 2004 by breaking its own fundraising record for the 21st consecutive year, raising $3.8 million to fund the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s (PBTF) research and family support programs. Thousands of motorcyclists on touring machines, cruisers, sport bikes, vintage bikes and dual-sport machines attended 29 Ride for Kids(r) events across the country to manifest their support for children battling brain tumors.



The PBTF, sponsor of the Ride for Kids(r) program, has made it their mission since 1984 to find the cause and cure of childhood brain tumors and to support families whose children are afflicted with this devastating disease. To date, the PBTF has raised $27 million to battle the deadliest of all childhood cancers.

“Everywhere in this great country of ours, motorcyclists have rolled up their sleeves and said, ‘I am going to make a difference in the life of a child with a brain tumor’,” said PBTF President Mike Traynor. “On behalf of these kids and their families, we thank each and every one of the motorcyclists for providing the fuel we need to fund the research engine that is driving us toward a cure.”



Each motorcyclist who attends a Ride for Kids(r) event brings a minimum donation of $35, and scores of riders bring hundreds, even thousands of dollars more. “We’ve been hooked from the very first ride we did 13 years ago,” said Tommy Smith, who together with his wife Connie raised $25,485 at the 2004 Atlanta Ride for Kids (r). “We feel so blessed that we have friends and business associates who give donations to help these kids, it motivates us each year to bring more.”

Motorcycle riding clubs and dealers are instrumental in the Ride for Kids(r) program’s success, working tirelessly during the year to raise funds and organize riders for their local events. Ted Nielsen, owner of Nielsen Enterprises, a multi-brand motorcycle dealership in Lake Villa, Illinois said, “I am just so proud of all the people that back us every year for this great cause. The people who work at our store, the people who ride with us, the people that come to the ride, we need all riders to support these kids.” Nielsen’s customers brought $110,740 to the Chicagoland Ride for Kids(r), more than any other dealership in 2004.

The Ride for Kids(r) 2004 Top Fundraisers were Scott and Mary Jo White of Phoenix, AZ, who raised $67,000. The Whites lost their daughter Nikki to a brain tumor and dedicated the funds to her memory. The Top Chapter/Club award went to the Gold Wing Road Riders Assoc. (GWRRA)
IL-G2 in Gurnee, IL, whose members raised $102,558.

Progress against childhood brain tumors has been made and, thanks to the PBTF’s efforts, more is expected. “We have funded significant research that has yielded promising results,” said Dianne Traynor, the foundation’s director of research, advocacy and grant funding. “We are especially encouraged by the research underway at the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Institute at Duke, which offers these children and their families hope for less debilitating treatments and eventually a cure.” The research institute in Durham, NC was started by the PBTF with a $6 million grant in 2003 to accelerate the pace of pediatric brain tumor research.

“We acknowledge the tremendous support of our Presenting Sponsor, the Honda Rider’s Club of America, who have been with us since 1991,” said Mike Traynor. “American Honda provides sponsorship support and a brand new Honda motorcycle at every Ride for Kids event and encourages their dealers to assist our programs, which allows us to channel even more funds into our research and family support programs.”

For 2005, the Ride for Kids(r) program will be in 36 cities, including for the first time, Cleveland, OH, Las Vegas, NV, Philadelphia, PA, Portland, OR, Salt Lake City, UT, San Diego, CA, and South Florida (Sunrise, FL). Information on the complete 2005 Ride for Kids(r) program is available at www.rideforkids.org.

About the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation funds medical research grants to help find the cause and cure of childhood brain tumors. The Foundation is the largest source of non-governmental funding for pediatric brain tumor research in the world. The PBTF also offers family support programs for families with a child who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Programs include free literature about brain tumors, the Helping Hand and Caring Hand national newsletters, the Informed Parent Internet Conference series and college scholarships for young brain tumor survivors. For more information about Ride for Kids(r) or the PBTF please call (800) 253-6530 or visit the Foundation’s websites at www.rideforkids.org or www.pbtfus.org.