From a press release:

Ride for Kids(r) “stars” shine brightly in Texas!

(Benbrook, TX – October 10, 2004) On Sunday, October 10, 2004, 250 caring motorcyclists, fundraisers, volunteers and patient families came together to celebrate and honor the seven courageous Ride for Kids(r) “stars”, pediatric brain tumor survivors, who attended the 2nd annual Dallas/Fort Worth Ride for Kids(r). These amazing young people, who ranged in age from 15 months-old to 20 years-old, were given “VIP” status and received true “star” treatment throughout the day. Since 1984, the Ride for Kids(r) program has been raising funds to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s search for the cause and cure of childhood brain tumors. The motorcyclists in Texas truly put their heart and soul into their fundraising efforts and at the end of the Ride it was announced that $45,695 had been raised for pediatric brain tumor research.

After enjoying a scenic police-escorted motorcycle ride past beautiful rolling horse farms and countryside south of Dallas/Fort Worth, the participants gathered for the Celebration of Life program under the festive “big-top tent”. There, they listened as Kristan, the mother of 15 month-old Ride for Kids(r) “star” Cassie, shared how much hope her friends had given her family since Cassie was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2003. She told the motorcyclists, “I want to thank you for helping, not just my child, but for helping all children and families affected by this disease.” Annelda, a 17 year-old brain tumor survivor and Ride for Kids(r) “star”, is ready to go off to college next fall and study astronomy. Twenty-year old Jeana, a childhood brain tumor survivor and a Ride for Kids(r) “star”, happens to have a Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation college scholarship. She is studying pre-med and wants to attend medical school to become a pediatric neuro-surgeon.

The Top Individual Fundraiser was Jasmine Kahn, with a total of $4,030. The Top Club was Barger’s Red Riders of Waco, TX whose members raised $9,959. Barger’s Allsports of Waco, TX, whose customers raised $11,655, captured the Top Dealer position. Sam Farr of Frisco, TX, who actually had attended the Columbia Ride for Kids(r) for several years before moving to Texas, was the winner of a brand new Honda motorcycle donated by American Honda Motor Company.

Special thanks to Dallas/Fort Worth Ride for Kids(r) Task Force Leaders Jim Andrews, JR Nance, Visitation Coordinator Mike Culpepper and their hardworking volunteer task force for a super event.

The next Ride for Kids(r) event is on Sunday, October 17 in Phoenix, AZ.