Motorcyclists and community fundraisers at Ride for Kids® events in Sacramento and Las Vegas combined to raise more than $207,000 to support kids with brain tumors over the weekend. Proceeds benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s (PBTF) medical research and family support programs. SACRAMENTO MOTORCYCLISTS RAISE $144,000 It was a cool fall day in Woodland, Calif., as 435 people gathered at Yolo County Fairgrounds for the 14th annual Sacramento event. A police escort led the motorcycles on a 90-minute ride through the scenic terrain of northern California’s “Gold Country” before returning to the fairgrounds for the powerful Celebration of Life program. Seventeen Ride for Kids® “stars” were present, ranging in age from 6-year-olds Dominic and Hunter to Craig, 20. Thanking the crowd for their support, Duncan, the father of 8-year-old brain tumor survivor Malcolm, said, “We the parents of these children are not heroes. We have no choice, we do what we have to do. But you don’t have to be here today. You are the heroes.” Many of the children on stage were patients of the two doctors present, pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Cino Ciricello and pediatric neuro-oncologist Dr. Nora Wu, both of the Sutter Neuroscience Medical Group. Pointing out that PBTF funding makes a difference, Wu said, “New molecular technology allows us to see different tumors, grow them and conduct test therapies.” The total raised in Sacramento was $144,533. The top individual fundraisers were Ann and Kirk Harry of El Dorado Hills, Calif., with $30,000. The top chapter/club was GWRRA CA Chapter C of Sacramento, whose members brought $43,484, while the customers of Malott’s Honda Yamaha of Manteca turned in $41,735 to make it the top motorcycle business. Phyllis Horner of Shingletown, Calif., won the grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle. Special thanks went to Sacramento task force leaders Lillian and Jack Cushman, visitation leaders Trish and Tom BALES, THE HARDWORKING VOLUNTEER TASK FORCE, AND EVENT VOLUNTEERS FOR HOSTING SUCH A SUCCESSFUL EVENT. LAS VEGAS RIDERS TOP $62,000 Gorgeous riding weather greeted the 420 participants in the second annual Las Vegas Ride for Kids® as they gathered at Freddie Spencer’s Riding School at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway yesterday. Motorcyclists followed their police escort on a beautiful, winding route through the spectacular Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area on their way to the community of Blue Diamond, nestled in the mountains outside Las Vegas. There they joined seven brain tumor survivors and their families under a big-top tent for the inspirational Celebration of Life program. The crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to Tobin, who turned 14 on Sunday, and heard from Jim, the father of 4-year-old Maya. “When the doctors came and took Maya from our arms for her surgery, we didn’t know what would happen. We felt so alone,” he said. “To know that people like you are there to help us when we fall is amazing!” Pediatric oncologist Dr. Soumen Khatua of the Pediatric Blood and Cancer Center at Redrock Medical Group was also on hand to tell the fundraisers how their efforts change lives. The Las Vegas event raised a total of $62,795 with the help of top individual fundraisers Nico and Frankie Giordano of Henderson, Nev., who turned in $13,528. The top club was Team Loomis of Las Vegas, which contributed $21,813, and the top motorcycle business was Carter Powersports of Las Vegas with $20,393 in customer donations. The grand prize Honda motorcycle went to William Stalsworth of Henderson. Special thanks went to the Las Vegas task force leaders, Charli and Dave Carter and Kelly and Sean Connery, visitation leader Bill Foster, the dedicated volunteer task force, and event volunteers, for organizing a phenomenal 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 childhood brain tumor research. The next PBTF Ride for Kids® event is Sunday, Oct. 8 in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. For more information, go to www.rideforkids.org or call 800-253-6530.