A dual sport ride in San Bernardino, Calif., and a road ride in Indianapolis, Ind., combined to raise $63,914 yesterday for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF). Dual sport ride bumps it up to $43,000 The 17th annual dual sport Ride for Kids® event in San Bernardino drew a crowd of 240 and raised $43,436 for childhood brain tumor research. The event at Glen Helen Raceway began with a traditional pancake breakfast and the Celebration of Life program. Six local brain tumor survivors, including 15-year-olds Caitlyn and Trent, gave the crowd a chance to see what a difference fundraising makes. This message was echoed by Dr. Alexander Zourous, a neurosurgeon from Loma Linda University Medical Center. “We have come a long way and you guys are the reason that these kids keep fighting,” he said. After the program, the riders bumped along 90 miles of remote backcountry trails in the San Bernardino National Forest. The first-place fundraisers were: * Top Individual: Chris Casteel, $2,552 * Top Club/Chapter: Orange County Dualies, $19,870 * Top Motorcycle Business: Beaumont Honda, $17,860 Larry Harmeier of Fullerton, Calif., won the drawing for a new Honda motorcycle. Many thanks went to the local volunteer task force, led by Jim and Roberta Woods, Paul Flanders and Buddy Percin. Return to Indianapolis raises $20,000 The Ride for Kids® rolled back into town on June 14 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where more than 160 motorcyclists and supporters raised $20,478 to benefit the PBTF. The police-escorted ride traveled through metropolitan Indianapolis on its way to the lush green forests of Eagle Creek Park. When the motorcyclists returned to the Speedway, they attended an uplifting Celebration of Life program that honored four local brain tumor survivors. The crowd heard from Blake, 10, and Hannah, 11, as well as PBTF college scholarship recipients Juliana and Conor. Juliana’s mother, Marilyn, described her feelings this way: “While I was on the ride and the police were stopping traffic, I was thinking the world stops for these kids today. Thanks to all of you.” Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol, a neurosurgeon with the Indianapolis Neurosurgical Group, told the motorcyclists that PBTF-funded research is leading to “wonderful advancements.” The first-place fundraisers were: * Top Individuals (tie): David and Kathy Bierman, $5,100 and Thomas and Audrey Langer, $5,100 * Top Club/Chapter: Horizon Riders, $11,350 * Top Motorcycle Business: Dreyer Honda, $11,985 The winner of the Honda motorcycle drawing was Sam Mason of Jasper, Ind. Thanks went to local task force leaders Dale Taylor, Pat Phillips and Stephen Kirkendoll and their event volunteers for a successful ride. 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. America’s motorcycling community has helped the PBTF become the world’s largest non-governmental source of funding for childhood brain tumor research. The next Ride for Kids event® is in South Bend, Ind., on July 12. For more information, go to http://www.rideforkids.org/ or call 800-253-6530.