The record-setting 25th Ride for Kids® season ended yesterday in Sarasota, Fla., where motorcyclists raised $55,553 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Five local brain tumor survivors were among the 300-plus crowd gathered at Sarasota County Technical Institute on a gorgeous fall morning. The riders and their police escort traveled under blue skies through Myakka State Park before returning to Sarasota Tech for the uplifting Celebration of Life program. The program honored Ride for Kids® “stars” such as 5-year-old Trinity and Corey, 22, a recent college graduate and PBTF scholarship recipient. Dr. Stacie Stapleton, director of pediatric neuro-oncology at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, told the crowd that the research they fund is the key to a cure. Two-time pediatric cancer survivor Kelsey, 18, agreed, saying, “Without you I would not be here today.” First place in the individual fundraiser category went to the team of Rick Deal and Larry Cochran, who brought $5,000. Hap’s Gulf Coast Riders raised $24,120 to be the number one club/chapter, and Hap’s Cycle Sales of Sarasota was the leading motorcycle business with $32,982 in customer donations. Debbie Spire of Oneco, Fla., won the grand prize Honda motorcycle. Sarasota’s local volunteer task force deserves credit for organizing a great event, with special thanks to task force leaders Greg and Marie Lough and Rick Deal. 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 26th PBTF Ride for Kids® season begins on Sunday, Feb. 8, in Pompano Beach, Fla. For more information, go to rideforkids.org or call 800-253-6530.