The 16th annual Houston Ride for Kids broke all of its previous fundraising records yesterday, raising over $283,700 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s medical research and family support programs. Storm clouds threatened to burst as the crowd of 645 gathered at Pasadena Convention Center and Fairgrounds, but the rain stayed away during the ride. The route gave participants a different view than in years past, crossing the Fred Hartman Bridge first, then circling around the San Jacinto monument. Celebration of Life Back at the fairgrounds, an exuberant Celebration of Life program got underway with 20 local brain tumor patients, the Ride for Kids “stars” of the day. From young Ava, walking at age 2 despite doctors’ predictions, to long-term survivor Amy, 31, their bravery and fortitude inspired the fundraisers. “There are new breakthroughs in treatments because of more and better research, and that is only possible because of the funding from organizations like the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation,” said Dr. Murali Mohan Chintagumpala, attending physician at Texas Children’s Hospital and professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. Top fundraisers The event raised a total of $283,728. Terry and Maggie Sims of Deer Park, Texas, were the top individual fundraisers with $13,650 raised. Members of HRCA Northwest Honda Red Riders turned in $47,659 to take top chapter/club honors, while the customers of Northwest Honda of Houston brought $77,892 to make it the top motorcycle business. Judy Ferguson of Crosby, Texas, won the grand prize, a new Honda motorcycle. A Texas-sized thank-you went to Houston’s dedicated task force, led by Ronnie Lunsford and visitation leaders Judy and Steve Ferguson. Along with their terrific event volunteers, they hosted an unforgettable day for brain tumor patients and motorcylists alike. 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 25th PBTF Ride for Kids® season continues on Sunday, May 4, 2008, in Los Angeles and in the Triangle Area of North Carolina. For more information, go to rideforkids.org or call 800-253-6530.