HUDSON VALLEY, MADISON RIDE FOR KIDS® RAISE $144,000 FOR PBTF Weekend heat, humidity and thunderstorms didn’t deter hundreds of motorcyclists from gathering in New York’s Hudson Valley and southern Wisconsin to champion children with brain tumors. At Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) Ride for Kids® events on Aug. 6, more than $144,000 was raised for medical research and family support programs. Stars shine in Hudson Valley The summer heatwave broke just in time for Hudson Valley’s 14th annual event, and a light breeze fluttered as the procession of motorcycles left Central Valley Elementary School. Motorcyclists followed a police escort over winding roads through thickly wooded Harriman State Park and parts of West Point, with stunning views of the Hudson River and the Palisades. Back at the school, the 620 participants joined an upbeat Celebration of Life program that featured seven local brain tumor survivors. Ashley, 4, delighted the crowd with her version of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” and her mom, Stacy, thanked everyone for coming. “We felt so alone, but being here with all of you changes everything,” she said. “There may not be a cure yet, but the research means keeping [our kids] with us for as long as possible.” Dr. James Garvin, a pediatric oncologist from Children’s Hospital of New York, told the crowd how much the medical community appreciates their fundraising efforts. After he spoke, people cheered to learn that they had raised $94,877 for childhood brain tumor research. Top individual fundraiser honors went to Eric Schmidt of Bethel, Conn., who raised $6,619. The top club, Ride for Liam of Suffern, N.Y., brought $18,609, and the customers of Bergen County Harley-Davidson of Rochelle Park, N.J., raised $5,110 to make it the top motorcycle business. Ed Connors of Pearl River, N.Y., won the grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle. Special thanks went to Hudson Valley Ride for Kids® task force leaders Jack Jones and Linda and Walter Buchanan, the hardworking task force members and day-of-event volunteers, for hosting a super event. Madison rides through the rain Madison’s third annual Ride for Kids® attracted 250 participants despite pouring rain and high humidity. The motorcyclists left Middleton High School on a police-escorted tour of southern Wisconsin’s rolling hills, lakes and farmland, ending at the base of the ski slopes at the Devil’s Head Resort in Merrimac. Seven local brain tumor survivors were honored during the Celebration of Life program. From 4-year-old Kelley to 21-year-old PBTF scholarship recipient Joel, their stories inspired the group. Shirley, mother of Anthony, 10, said, “Without your fundraising, there is no way they can go one step farther with research to find a cure.” The local medical community was represented by Univ. of Wisconsin medical researcher Dr. Mike Westphall, whose son has a brain tumor. “Government research grants become less and less, so private funding is essential,” he told the crowd. The total raised in Madison was $49,260. The top individual fundraisers were Pam and Randy Gulseth of Two Rivers, Wis., who raised $5,705. The top club was GWRRA WI Chapter J, whose members brought $8,017. The customers of George Vetesnik Power Sports Superstore raised $5,740 to make it the top motorcycle business. Merle Coggins of Waukesha, Wis., won the grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle. Special thanks went to Madison’s task force leaders Joe Bentz and Mike Witt, visitation leader Merle Coggins, the dedicated task force members and day-of-event volunteers, for conducting such a great 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, PBTF has become the world’s largest non-governmental source of funding for pediatric brain tumor research. The next PBTF Ride for Kids® events are Sunday, Aug. 20 in North Oxford, Mass., and Salt Lake City, Utah. For more information about Ride for Kids®, go to www.rideforkids.org or call 800-253-6530.