Ride for Kids® tops $185,000 in St. Louis, Philadelphia Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® (PBTF) Ride for Kids® events in St. Louis and Philadelphia raised a grand total of $185,645 for the fight against childhood brain tumors yesterday. St. Louis gives kids hope St. Louis motorcyclists celebrated their 10th Ride for Kids® by raising $101,831 for the PBTF. A group of 175 riders and other supporters came to St. Charles Community College in Cottleville to support their “stars,” James, Isabelle, Brian, Joshua, Daniel, Hope, Abigail, Josh, Zachary, Ashleigh, and Courtney. After the ride, PBTF college scholarship recipient Abigail said, “Thanks so much to everyone that gives up their time to help. You give us hope.” Much of that hope comes from researchers like Dr. Joshua Rubin of St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Siteman Cancer Center, who assured the riders that their dollars make a difference. The top fundraisers were: Individual: Lisa Rozier, $45,000 Family team or organization: Taylor Rozier’s Hope for a Cure Brain Tumor Foundation, $45,000 Motorcycle club/chapter: Brian Ott’s Bikers, $12,179 Motorcycle business: Niehaus Cycle Sales, $17,760 The donated Ride for Kids® drawing prizes went to John Voss (Honda motorcycle); Mary Hoette (AGV helmet); Mike Doyer (Dunlop tire); and Lisa Rozier (Tourmaster luggage and Cardo Systems headset). Many thanks go to the volunteers who organized the ride. This year’s leadership team was Greg Hoette, Norm and Angie Riekena, John and Lorrie Lehmann, and Marty Hall. Save the date for next year’s ride on Sunday, Sept. 16. Philadelphia rides for research The seventh Philadelphia Ride for Kids® raised $83,814 for the PBTF yesterday at a new location, Valley Forge Christian College in Phoenixville. Over 300 riders and supporters were on hand to honor seven local brain tumor survivors: Althea, Giselle, Angelina, John, Danielle, and PBTF scholarship recipients Annie and Emily. After a ride through the countryside, several of them talked about their lives. “Things could be so much worse for me, but because of you I have been in remission for six years,” said Emily, 14. Added Giselle, 17, “The research that you fund is probably why my surgery has gone so well.” That funding comes from donations given by motorcyclists, family members and other supporters. Philadelphia’s leaders were: Individual: Jill Bookman, $18,693 Family team or organization: Team Tyler, powered by American Collectors Insurance, $28,703 Motorcycle club/chapter: GWRRA PA-A, $7,390 Motorcycle business: Powersports East, $16,636 Donated Ride for Kids® drawing prizes went to Vernon Landis (Honda motorcycle); Thomas Denson (AGV helmet); Tammy Price (Dunlop tire); David Green (Tourmaster luggage); and Sterling Beiler (Cardo Systems headset). The Philadelphia Ride for Kids® is organized by volunteers, led this year by Steve and Deneen Falk, Joel Samick, Lynn Nathan, and Gordon Smith. Ride with us next year on Sunday, Sept. 16. 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. Next week we celebrate our 500th Ride for Kids® event in Ellicott City, Md., on Sunday, Sept. 25. Learn more at www.rideforkids.org or call 800-253-6530.