Motorcyclists in Tennessee, Colorado and California rode together at Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) Ride for Kids® events over the weekend to raise more than $130,000 for childhood brain tumor research. Proceeds from the rides in Knoxville, Tenn., the San Francisco Bay Area and Golden, Colo., benefit the PBTF’s medical research and family support programs. Honda Hoot® Riders Flock To Knoxville Event The weekend began Saturday morning at Chilhowee Park in Knoxville as 200 participants gathered for the ride, part of the annual Honda Hoot®. The police-escorted ride followed a beautiful route along the backcountry roads of Knox County to the park-like setting of Douglas Dam on the Tennessee River. There the riders enjoyed lunch during the moving Celebration of Life program. Three local pediatric brain tumor survivors spoke from the stage, including 6-year-old Zack and 21-year-old Dawn, who was accompanied by her seeing-eye dog, Barkley. They were joined by Greg, an adult survivor of a childhood brain tumor who is now an avid motorcyclist. Dr. Ray Pais, director of Hematology/Oncology at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, spoke for the medical community. “The [list of] people the PBTF are funding with your donations reads like a who’s who of neuro-oncology,” he said. The total raised at the sixth annual Knoxville event was $58,642. The top individual fundraisers were Doug and Lori Stanphill of Nashville, who brought $12,500. Members of the top club, Tennessee Honda Riders Club of Murfreesboro, turned in $14,413. The top motorcycle business was Sloan’s Honda of Murfreesboro with $14,364 in donations. The grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle, went to Sean Vojtasko of Cumming, Ga. Special thanks to the Knoxville volunteer task force leaders, Geoffrey Greene and Nancy and Dave Miller, visitation leaders Betty and Dave Roberts, task force members and day-of-event volunteers, for putting together a great event. First San Francisco Ride A Great Success The next day enthusiasm and joy were in the air at the first San Francisco Bay Area Ride for Kids®. The 200 participants left Pleasanton Middle School under sunny skies for a police-escorted ride through northern California’s wine country, ranch areas and canyons. The Celebration of Life back at the school featured five local pediatric brain tumor survivors, ranging in age from 8-year-old Malcolm to Chelsea, 23. Mike Cable, father of 9-year-old Brennan, delighted the crowd when he reported that his son’s most recent MRI was clear. Neurosurgeon Dr. Mitch Berger and his research colleague Dr. David James of the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, a PBTF research institute, thanked the crowd for their hard work. The total raised at the San Francisco event was $40,365. The top individual fundraiser was Ruth Chambers of Santa Rosa, Calif., who brought $5,100. Members of the top club, the Redwood Riders from Santa Rosa, turned in $5,100, while the customers of Jim & Jim’s Yamaha of Santa Rosa made it the top motorcycle business with $5,390 in donations. The grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle, went to Donald Tolbert of San Bruno, Calif. Special thanks went to the San Francisco Bay Area event’s task force leaders, Kathy and Jon Carlson and Kathy and Ricky Freeman, visitation leader Bill Goldsby, the hardworking volunteer task force and day-of-event volunteers, for hosting a superb first-time event. Colorado Motorcyclists Shine Spirits were also high at the third Ride for Kids® in Golden, Colo., as 225 participants left Heritage Square Park under sunny skies. The police-escorted ride took them through winding canyon roads with spectacular views of the foothills of the Front Range. The Celebration of Life featured two local pediatric brain tumor survivors, Spencer and Ben, both 13. “All the years I’ve been in remission have been wonderful,” Ben said. “Be cheerful and always say you will fight this cancer.” The total raised at the Colorado event was $31,128. The top individual fundraiser was Pamela McCombs of Windsor, Colo., who brought $7,511. Members of the top club, GWTA CO Chapter 9, turned in $10,277. The top motorcycle business was NECE Trikes of Windsor with $7,666 in donations. McCombs won the grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle. Thanks went to Colorado’s task force leaders, Alison and Gray Buckley and Dick Paige, and their dedicated task force members and day-of-event volunteers, for hosting a fine event. 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, the PBTF has become the world’s largest nongovernmental source of funding for pediatric brain tumor research. The next PBTF Ride for Kids® event is Sunday, July 9 in South Bend, Ind. For more information, go to www.rideforkids.org or call 800-253-6530.