Generous motorcyclists brought $44,070 in donations to the ninth annual Pittsburgh Ride for Kids® on Aug. 9. The funds benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s medical research and family support programs. It was warm and overcast as the ride left the Home Depot in Cranberry Township. On their way to the end point at Slippery Rock University, the riders and their police escort traveled on winding hillside roads with great views of Lake Arthur and Moraine State Park. Jon Burnett, meteorologist at KDKA Channel 2 CBS, spoke for many when he said, “We all could be doing other things, but none are better than this.” Seven local brain tumor survivors were on stage during the Celebration of Life program, cheered on by over 260 fundraisers and supporters. The “stars” included Blaze, a 3-year-old who sang his ABCs, and Eliot, who turned 9 that day. Alyssa, 18, expressed gratitude for the college scholarship she received this year. “I would not be able to go to school without it, so thank all of you for your donations.” The first-place fundraisers were: * Individuals: Larry Coffield and Kay Mooney, $6,650 * Club/Chapter: GWRRA PA-D, $11,479 * Motorcycle Business: N&R Trike Shop, $8,561 Laura Ebbert of Allison Park, Penn., won the grand prize, a Honda motorcycle. Local task force leaders Gordon Snyder, Linda Eaves, Laura Ebbert and Steve Kovac were thanked for organizing a terrific day for the kids. 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® event is Aug. 16 in North Oxford, Mass. For more information, go to http://www.rideforkids.org/ or call 800-253-6530.