Philadelphia sets another record Not content with breaking fundraising records for a first-time Ride for Kids® event, motorcyclists in the City of Brotherly Love outdid themselves again this year by setting a record for a second-year ride. Together they raised $106,000 for the PBTF. The day’s festivities began as 500 fundraisers gathered under clear skies at the King of Prussia mall. From there the police-escorted ride took beautiful winding roads past George Washington’s encampment at the Valley Forge National Monument, along the Brandywine River through rural villages west of Philadelphia, finally ending at Longwood Gardens. At the moving Celebration of Life program, eight local brain tumor survivors shared their stories. Thanking the crowd for their fundraising efforts, Lauren’s mom, Marianne, said, “We cling to hope, and hope lies in research.” The top individual fundraisers were Neil and Tyler Bookman of Jenkintown, Penn., who brought $19,123. The top club was Team America Collectors of Cherry Hill, N.J., whose members raised $20,053, and the customers of Ken Carr Cycle Center of Norristown, Penn., turned in $6,625 to make it the top motorcycle business. David Green of West Grove, Penn., won the grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle. Extra-special thanks to Philadelphia task force leaders Mitzi and Lee Krauss and Joel Samick, visitation leaders Lisa and Rex Alfes, the hardworking volunteer task force and event volunteers, for hosting a record-breaking ride. Birmingham riders shine At the fifth annual Birmingham Ride for Kids®, a sunny day greeted nearly 400 fundraisers at the Pelham Civic Complex. A police escort took the riders through rural Alabama on the way to the Barber Motorsports Complex, a thrilling venue for any motorcycling enthusiast. The stirring Celebration of Life program featured eight local brain tumor survivors, from 3-year-old Avery to Ryan, 13. Another special guest was state Sen. Hank Erwin, who said the governor had proclaimed the date Ride for Kids® Day in Alabama. The group also heard from Dr. Yancey Gillespie, a brain tumor researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and his colleague Dr. Alyssa Reddy, a pediatric oncologist. “We’re entering a new era where there is now a wave of new options for the treatment of brain tumors, where before there were very few,” Reddy said. The total raised in Birmingham was $69,444. The top individual fundraisers were Joyce and Bill Smith of Alabaster, Ala., who brought $11,200. The top club was GWRRA AL Chapter B (Rocket City Wings) of Huntsville, whose members raised $12,648, and the customers of Big #1 Motorsports in Homewood, Ala., turned in $11,080 to make it the top motorcycle business. Chris Miller of Madison, Ala., won the Honda motorcycle drawing. Heartfelt thanks to Birmingham task force leaders Joyce and Bill Smith and Anita and Roy Fosnight, visitation leader Stacy Ashby, the dedicated volunteer task force and event volunteers, for organizing a fantastic ride. Rain can’t dampen spirit of St. Louis Despite heavy rain, spirits were high at St. Louis’ sixth Ride for Kids®, which raised $68,843. More than 350 motorcyclists and fundraisers met at Johnson County Community College in Hillsboro, then followed a police escort through the countryside to Meramec State Park in Sullivan. There participants witnessed an inspiring Celebration of Life program with five local brain tumor survivors. Ride for Kids® star Hope elicited cheers when she said, “They found my tumor at 9 years old. I am now 12 and the tumor is gone.” “Our research is possible because of efforts from all of you,” said Dr. Joshua Rubin, a pediatric oncologist from St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The top individual fundraisers were the David Piehl family of Troy, Mo., who brought $6,345. The top club was Servants to Christ’s Calling of St. Louis, whose members raised $11,680, and the customers of Niehaus Cycles from Litchfield, Ill., turned in $13,602 to make it the top motorcycle business. Thomas Bartels from Hamilton, Ohio, won the drawing for a Honda motorcycle. Many thanks to St. Louis task force leaders Mary and Greg Hoette and Angie and Norm Riekena, visitation leader Roger Snyder, the dedicated volunteer task force and event volunteers, for putting on a super ride. About the PBTF Ride for Kids® Since 1984, the national Ride for Kids® program and 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 motorcyclists and motorcycle dealers, PBTF has become the world’s largest non-governmental source of funding for childhood brain tumor research. The next PBTF Ride for Kids® event is Sunday, Sept. 24 in Columbia, Md. For more information, go to www.rideforkids.org or call 800-253-6530.