Kids battling brain tumors got a big boost over the weekend as hundreds of motorcyclists joined Ride for Kids® events in Columbia, Md., and Birmingham, Ala., on Sunday, Sept. 25. Together they raised $242,000 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s medical research and family support programs. More than 800 motorcyclists, fundraisers, patient families and volunteers turned out at The Mall in Columbia on a warm, overcast morning for a police-escorted ride through the Maryland countryside. The route followed winding backcountry roads past horse farms and beautiful country estates as it made its way to Lincoln Technical Institute in Columbia. There the motorcyclists disembarked for the real highlight of the day””the Celebration of Life program, which gives Ride for Kids® participants a chance to hear directly from the children and families their donations help. Thirteen young brain tumor survivors took part in the Columbia program, including 18-month-old Paige, “tractor man” Benjamin, 3, and 11-year-old Maggie, who loves horseback riding and her guinea pig. The younger children were inspired by the achievements of Adam, Jeremy and Shannon, all of whom are PBTF college scholarship recipients. The importance of raising money for research was underscored as the group remembered Michael, a local PBTF scholarship winner who died before he could start college. As Shannon’s dad, Marc, pointed out, “¦the research today will make it possible for [her], and others like her, to have a future.” Dr. Gregory Riggins, a neuro-oncologist from Johns Hopkins Hospital, said that researchers “are very excited with the new advancements in targeting cures for [brain tumors].” The 14th annual Columbia event raised a total of $194,081. The top individual fundraiser was Bob Henig of Jessup, Md., who brought $22,074. The top club, Manassas Honda Riders Club of Manassas, Va., raised $23,967, while the customers of Bob’s BMW of Jessup/Columbia made it the top motorcycle business with $44,313 in donations. Lou Mitchell from Dale City, Va., won the grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle. Heartfelt appreciation went to Columbia’s task force leaders””Kevin and Christine Merrill, Rene Hernandez, Roy Carpenter, and Taryn Wilson-Wheatley””along with their hardworking volunteers, for a fantastic event. Down south, the remnants of Hurricane Rita didn’t deter more than 250 people from gathering at the Pelham Civic Complex in Pelham, Ala., for the fourth annual Birmingham Ride for Kids®. It was wet, windy and warm as the police-escorted ride went through the rolling hills and farms of rural Shelby County. The riders then made their way to the Alabama Traffic and Safety Center, located on the campus of the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Ala. There the participants were treated to a program honoring eight young brain tumor survivors, including Karissa, Ryan, Michael, Tiffany and 2-year-old Avery, who was unable to speak due to her treatment. Not to worry, said her mom, Gene Ann. “In 10 days Avery will get her tracheotomy out, and she will be able to talk at next year’s event!” The medical community was represented by Dr. Yancey Gillespie, director of brain tumor research at the University of Alabama-Birmingham Hospital. “You are doing God’s work,” he told the crowd. “You are providing funds used for cutting-edge technology. We now have [the] equivalent to a $40 million enterprise in terms of brain tumor research.” Alabama State Sen. Hank Erwin was also on hand to lend his support. The total raised in Birmingham was $47,961. Top individual fundraiser honors went to Claudio and Paola Chaves, who raised $9,510 in memory of their son Joshua. The top club was Southern Cruisers of Birmingham, whose members brought $9,410. The customers of American Cycle Center of Birmingham raised $6,895 to make it the top motorcycle business. Kevin Howze of Calera, Ala., won the grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle. Special thanks went to task force leaders Joyce and Bill Smith, Anita and Roy Fosnight, and their dedicated volunteers, for putting together a great event. Proceeds of the events fund the medical research and family support programs of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Since 1984, the national Ride for Kids® program and PBTF have supported childhood brain tumor research and family support programs. Programs include free literature about brain tumors, two national newsletters, the Informed Parent & Survivor Internet Conference series and college scholarships. Thanks to the thousands of caring and generous motorcyclists and motorcycle dealers who have supported the program since its inception, PBTF has become the world’s largest non-governmental source of funding for pediatric brain tumor research. The next Ride for Kids® events are on Sunday, Oct. 2 in Portland, Ore., and Sacramento, Calif. For more information about the Ride for Kids® and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, please visit rideforkids.org or pbtfus.org, or call (800) 253-6530.