May 6th Ride for Kids® events total $301,000 Riders in California and North Carolina gave kids with brain tumors $301,118 worth of hope on May 6. Proceeds from their Ride for Kids® events benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® (PBTF). The Los Angeles ride puts a smile on Dylan’s face. Los Angeles gives kids a day to remember Nearly 1,000 people attended the 21st Los Angeles Ride for Kids® to put smiles on the faces of young people like Yverline, Lisa, Marisa, Elise, Trent, Ethan, Amanda, Michelle, Tia, Grayson, and Dylan. These brain tumor survivors were the “stars” of the event, which raised $208,418 for the PBTF. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., the presenting sponsor of Ride for Kids®, hosted the gathering. Motorcycle officers from the California Highway Patrol helped escort hundreds of bikes on a gorgeous ride along the Pacific Ocean, with help from All Cities Transportation, Inc. When the riders returned to the Honda campus, they heard from the stars, including Amanda, a college graduate and former PBTF scholarship recipient. “I’m in awe of the level of passion the motorcyclists continue to bring,” she said. Added Yverline’s mom, Cynde, “We’re not saints and we’re not heroes”¦we are just tired. And that’s why today is so important. You are encouraging us.” In addition to funding the PBTF’s family support programs, the Ride for Kids® supports medical research. “We need better and safer therapies so that we can have a truly cured child,” said Dr. Girish Dhall, a pediatric oncologist at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. “The dollars you raised today go exactly toward this effort.” The leading fundraisers in Los Angeles were: Individuals: Michael and Amanda York, $22,040 Motorcycle club/chapter: L.A. Starbright Riders, $43,415 Motorcycle business: Long Beach BMW, $35,173 Special organization: Emilie and Kadyn’s Mission, $15,108 Donated Ride for Kids® drawing prizes went to Robert Larkin (Honda motorcycle); Michael York (AGV helmet); Alex Quintanilla (Dunlop tire); Wenzel Turmes (Tourmaster luggage); and Mickey Harrison (Cardo Scala Rider). The Los Angeles Ride for Kids® task force worked hard all year to make this event a success. The 2012 team was led by Cicely Salatino, Michael York and Louis Vanderveen. Jamilyn is ready to ride in N.C.’s Triangle Area. Research Triangle riders rev it up The Triangle Area of North Carolina is home to some of the world’s finest research facilities, including the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® Institute at Duke University. Local motorcyclists raised $92,700 on May 6 to fund vital projects that are making life better for brain tumor survivors like Amelia, Kimberly, Shango, Chase, Jamilyn, Isaiah, Forrester, Hannah, and Tami. These “stars” led the ninth Triangle Area Ride for Kids around Jordan Lake State Park on a warm, cloudy day. After the ride, they took the time to tell the participants about their lives. “The money that you bring in helps the scientists get one step closer to finding a cure,” said Forrester, 15. Added Dr. Sri Gururangan, who treats many of the stars at Duke, “A lot of research cannot be done without the money you bring in.” Triangle’s top fundraisers were: Individual: Roland Cargill, $5,495 Motorcycle club/chapter: GWRRA NC-E2, $7,636 Motorcycle business: Combustion Cycles, $14,000 Special organization: Bayer Cropscience, $25,685 Donated Ride for Kids® drawing prizes went to Michael Buckenberger (Honda motorcycle); Roy Crowder (AGV helmet); Roland Cargill (Dunlop tire); Wanda Squire (Tourmaster luggage); and Jim Timmins (Cardo Scala Rider). Also participating in the ride was brain tumor survivor Bob Dumas of Bob and The Showgram on G105, home of the annual Bob’s Buddies Radiothon to benefit the PBTF. Many thanks went to the ride’s local volunteer task force, led by Hope Pickard, Kendra Bryan and Neoma Flanagan, for their hard work and dedication. About the PBTF Ride for Kids® Ride for Kids® supports the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® (PBTF) by funding medical research and family support programs. We thank our presenting sponsor, Honda Riders Club of America, and our national insurance sponsor, GEICO. The next Ride for Kids® events are on Sunday, May 20 in Franklin, Tenn., and Alexandria, La. Learn more at www.rideforkids.org or call 800-253-6530.