Ride for Kids events, which support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, were held in Atlanta and Mechanicsville, Va., this weekend.
And will both June 1 Ride for Kids wrapped up, more than 780 motorcyclists raised a combined $149,083. During the events, the riders met honored local children with brain tumors, including Alexa, Allie, Amy, Axton, Brayden, Brittany, Caroline, Chayton, Dillion, Dru, Jarod, Jasmine, Jessica, Lacey, Madison, Mandy, Marshall, Sami and Stacy.
Following is info from each Ride for Kids:
Atlanta Ride for Kids
A dreary start to the morning didn’t stop more than 620 participants from riding in the 31st Atlanta Ride for Kids on June 1. The event had raised $119,631, for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation by ride time.
The event’s Stars were the 14 local brain tumor survivors who led the ride from Cumming Fairgrounds: Axton, Brayden, Caroline, Chayton, Dillion, Dru, Jarod, Jessica, Lacey, Madison, Mandy, Marshall, Sami and Stacy.
Star Axton looked out at the crowd of motorcyclists and said, “It feels good to have support there when you need it.”
Pediatric neuro-oncologist Claire Mazewski from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta also attended the event. “With the help of organizations like this, we’ve been able to significantly expand our research,” she told the crowd. “Thank you so much for doing this.”
As of June 1, the individual, motorcycle club/chapter and motorcycle business with the most raised were Jennifer Duke ($16,199), Nawth Jawja Rat Pack ($9,475) and Harley-Davidson of Cartersville ($16,500). The top non-motorcycle group was Car Wash for the Cure ($17,010).
The event is still collecting donations online at www.rideforkids.org. Fundraisers will receive incentive credit through July 1.
Donald Williams won the drawing for a new Honda motorcycle, and a Cardo Scala Rider TeamSet went to Craig Skinner. Vicky Dorsett won a Tour Master gift card. Jocelyn Dorsey of WSB-TV emceed the event.
This year’s task force leaders were Steve and Morissa Burwell and Bill and Vicky Phelps.
Virginia Ride for Kids
More than 160 participants gathered for the 12th Virginia Ride for Kids on June 1. The event had raised $29,452 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation by ride time.
The event’s Stars were the five local brain tumor survivors who led the ride from the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Mechanicville: Alexa, Allie, Amy, Brittany and Jasmine.
Dr. Sridharan Gururangan, a pediatric neuro-oncologist at Duke University, spoke to the crowd of participants: “Two-thirds of the children are now cured, but we want to make that 100 percent and this can only be done through research that you help fund…I am truly inspired and humbled by seeing you all come out every year. I cannot do this without your help.”
As of June 1, the individual, motorcycle club/chapter and motorcycle business with the most raised were Mark Pearson ($3,090), Richmond Riders ($6,779) and Honda House ($3,628). The top non-motorcycle group was Team Kevin ($1,500).
The event is still collecting donations online at www.rideforkids.org. Fundraisers will receive incentive credit through July 1.
Lee Cappis won the drawing for a new Honda motorcycle and a Cardo Scala Rider TeamSet went to Debbie Bruce.
This year’s task force leaders were Mike Seibert, Pete Nelson, Keri Abrams and Kate Musk.
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.
