From a press release:

Colin Edwards helps the Houston Ride for Kids® kick off the 2004 Ride for Kids® Season

Darla captures the hearts of the motorcyclists by sharing some life-lessons with six-year old Garrett while National Ride for Kids® Director Allen Hughes looks on.

It is a rare and mighty special occasion when a two-time World Superbike champion and current MotoGP contender is the Top Individual Fundraiser at a Ride for Kids® event. However, that’s exactly what happened at this year’s Houston Ride for Kids(r). Colin Edwards, a Conroe, Texas native who currently rides for Gresini Racing on a Honda RC211V, wowed the motorcyclists by having his representatives turn in $15,075. Edwards, who is in Europe preparing for the MotoGP circuit, was there with the kids and riders in spirit, his spokesperson said.

The 2004 Ride for Kids® season kicked off with a bang in Kemah, Texas on Sunday, April 25. Despite a little drizzle, 800 giving and dedicated motorcyclists gathered to ride through Houston’s southern suburbs to raise a record-breaking $273,523 for childhood brain tumor research.

Since 1984, the Ride for Kids® program has raised funds to support the research and family support programs of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Today, more children die from brain tumors than from any other childhood cancer.

After the police-escorted ride, the motorcyclists gathered for the meaningful Celebration of Life program. An amazing 15 patient families, with Ride for Kids® “stars” ranging in age from six to nineteen, were in attendance. Dr. Jack Su and Dr. Allison Bertuch were also there to help the riders understand the importance of pediatric brain tumor research. Darla, a 16-year old brain tumor survivor, won the audience over by taking the microphone away from National Ride for Kids® Director Allen Hughes and asking him to have a seat. She then addressed the younger brain tumor survivors by telling them, “I learned a saying that I want to pass on to you. Please remember that rain always comes before a rainbow.”

Fundraising records were broken across the board in Houston. The Top Club honor went to both GWRRA Texas Chapter Z whose members brought $55,450 and GWRRA Texas Chapter C whose members turned in $54,153. The Top Dealer title was earned by two deserving and generous dealers. Pasadena Honda’s clients turned in $68,320 and Northwest Honda’s customers brought in $62,914. Howard Chipman of Groves, Texas won the grand prize, a new Honda motorcycle.

Kudos to Ronnie Lunsford and his hard working volunteer Task Force for conducting a successful Houston Ride for Kids® event.

The next Ride for Kids® events are on Sunday, May 2 in Pittsburgh, PA and Triangle Area (NC).

For more information about the Ride for Kids(r) and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, please visit www.rideforkids.org or www.pbtfus.org or call (800) 253-6530.