From a press release issued by Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation:

Two Ride for Kids(r) events brought together generous and caring motorcyclists from different parts of the country to raise funds for pediatric brain tumor research. As part of the Annual Honda HomeComing Celebration in Marysville, Ohio, the 13th Annual Marysville Ride for Kids(r) was held on Saturday, July 31st. Under cloudy summer skies, 450 motorcyclists, fundraisers, volunteers and patient families gathered for a police-escorted ride through the Ohio countryside to celebrate the lives of young brain tumor survivors and to raise money for the research and family support programs of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

After enjoying a scenic route that included several covered bridges, the participants gathered under a gigantic, celebratory big-top tent for the touching Celebration of Life program. There, the four very special Ride for Kids(r) “stars” unfurled the grand total check to reveal that the motorcyclists had raised $142,100.

Martin Brena, MD, was on hand to share with the motorcyclists the importance of funding cancer research. The audience went silent as Katie, a 13-year old brain tumor survivor, thanked them all for their participation and told them that without their fundraising efforts and the work of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, she would probably not be alive today.

The Top Individual Fundraiser was Brent Sheares, who raised $11,519. GWRRA Ohio Chapter B2 of Bellefontaine, OH was the Top Club whose members raised $12,926. They were followed closely by GWRRA Ohio Chapter D3 of Marysville, OH whose members raised $12,326. The Top Shop spot went to Competition Accessories whose customers raised $21,062. Rich Silva of Cleveland, Ohio was the winner of a brand new Honda motorcycle donated by the American Honda Motor Company.

Special thanks to Marysville Ride for Kids(r) Task Force Leaders LouAnn McKeen, Altrece Hogans and their dedicated volunteer team for a successful event.


Across the country, surrounded by the Ramapo Mountains in the picturesque Hudson Valley Region, the 12th Annual Hudson Valley Ride for Kids(r) took place on Sunday, August 1, 2004. The motorcyclists, fundraisers, volunteers and patient families gathered despite the rainy, overcast weather to raise $91,112 for childhood brain tumor research. The riders were treated to a safe, police-escorted ride through mountainous twists and curves. After their ride, the participants gathered under the big-top tent to listen to the seven Ride for Kids(r) “stars” on stage during the Celebration of Life program.

Zach and Dan, both brain tumor survivors and recipients of Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation College Scholarships, were on hand to thank the motorcyclists for their dedication to the Ride for Kids(r) program. Little Emily, a five-year old brain tumor survivor, when asked what kind of pets she had at home, proudly remarked, “crayons and markers!” Tracy, a 20-year old brain tumor survivor, poignantly told the riders, “You can’t know how much you touch our lives just by showing up to a Ride for Kids event.” Dr. James Garvin, a pediatric neuro-oncologist, shared with the motorcyclists the importance of their fundraising efforts.

The Top Individual Fundraiser was Anthony Pessalano who raised $13,190. The Top Club was Ride for Liam whose members raised $13,940. New York Honda’s customers raised $5,946 earning them the Top Dealer position. Keith Rosario of Goshen, NY was the winner of a brand new Honda motorcycle donated by the American Honda Motor Company.

Thanks to Hudson Valley Ride for Kids(r) Task Force Leaders Jack Jones, Walter and Linda Buchanan and their volunteer force for a great event.

The next Ride for Kids(r) event is on Sunday, August 8 in Madison (Middleton), WI.

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.