Ride for Kids launched its season-opening rides in Southern California and South Florida with motorcyclists raising $92,912 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.
More than 400 motorcyclists gathered for the events in San Bernardino, Calif. on April 12, and Deerfield Beach, Fla. on April 13. The events honored each city’s local brain tumor survivors, our Stars: Jonathan, Nick, Travis, Izaiah, Kate, Brandon and Bryan.
“When I learned on Sept.11, 1998, that Brandon had a brain tumor, I was faced with the scariest thing I’ve ever had to deal with,” said Paul, father of Southern California brain tumor survivor, Brandon. “I knew my motorcycle friends were the ones who were going to help save his life.”
Making life better for Ride for Kids Stars is the reason motorcyclists across the country ride for the PBTF, which funds medical research and family support programs to help eliminate the challenges of childhood brain tumors.
South Florida Report:
Rainy weather did not stop enthusiastic participants from attending the 10th South Florida Ride for Kids on April 13. More than 230 participants gathered for the event, which raised $48,664 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation at ride time.
The event’s Stars were the three local brain tumor survivors who led the ride in the Deerfield Beach area: Jonathan, Nick and Travis.
“The work that is being done as a result of the money that bikers like yourselves are raising is helping to save the lives of children like Jonathan,” said Jonathan’s father, Humberto Blanco. “Bikers have big hearts and are some of the best, most giving people on earth.”
As of April 14, the individual, motorcycle club/chapter and dealer with the most raised were the Craven/Meyers family ($11,159), King David Bikers ($9,381) and Star Cycles ($17,067).
Pamela Bilinska won the drawing for a new Honda Rebel, and a Cardo team Bluetooth communication system went to Laura Goldstein.
A big thank-you goes to the hardworking volunteers who organized the event. This year’s task force leaders were Rick Morales and Patricia White.
Southern California
More than 165 participants attended the 22nd Southern California Ride for Kids on April 12. Cloudy skies and rainy weather did not stop participants from raising $44,248 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation at ride time.
The event’s Stars were the four local brain tumor survivors who led the ride in the San Bernardino area: Izaiah, Kate, Brandon and Bryan.
“I have been coming to the ride for 14 or 15 years,” Bryan said. “It’s pretty cool that people like you ride for brain tumor research and hopefully one day we’ll find a cure.”
As of April 14, the individual, motorcycle club/chapter and dealer with the most raised were Autumn Vallecorsa ($10,125), Ventura County Motorcycle Club ($10,175) and Bert’s Mega Mall ($10,175). The leading non-motorcycle group was the Cody Waters Foundation ($5,000).
Lee Nichols won the drawing for a new Honda CRF110FE, and a Cardo team Bluetooth communication system went to Jeff Fisher.
Thank you to the hardworking volunteers who organized the event. This year’s task force leaders were Autumn Vallecorsa, Buddy Percin, Kieth Huff and Paul Flanders.
The events are still collecting donations online at www.rideforkids.org. Southern California fundraisers will receive incentive credit through May 12, and South Florida fundraisers receive credit through May 13.
ABOUT RIDE FOR KIDS
In 2014, Ride for Kids is celebrating its 31st year of raising awareness and funds for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, a national voluntary health nonprofit. More than 28,000 children in the United States are living with the diagnosis of a brain tumor, and 13 more cases are identified each day. Motorcyclists have helped the PBTF become the world’s largest non-governmental source of funding for childhood brain tumor research. Our programs also include free educational resources and special events for brain tumor survivors and their families. American Honda is the presenting sponsor of Ride for Kids. Other supporters include GEICO and Cycle World magazine. Register online at www.rideforkids.org or call 800-253-6530 to learn more.
