Texas, California Ride for Kids events top $277,000 Two Ride for Kids events celebrated milestones on Oct. 7, combining for 30 years of support and $277,616 in donations for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Dallas/Fort Worth riders give kids a normal life Motorcyclists in the Dallas/Fort Worth area have been riding for the PBTF for 10 years. Yesterday they brought $153,601 in contributions to help kids like Joselyn, Benjamin, Cassy P., Cassie M., Morgan, Rebecca, J.C., Summer, Nora, Christina, Shelby, Rachel, Kami and Ethan. It was cold and overcast as the ride left Grapevine Mills Mall with many of these brain tumor survivors in the lead. Several of them spoke afterward, including Ethan, who said, “I’m here to prove to the kids that they can grow up and have a normal life.” The leading fundraisers were: Individuals: Sam and Dawn Caine, $78,413 Motorcycle club/chapter: Third Tradition, $31,885 Motorcycle business: Bob Lunsford’s Northwest Honda, $81,298 Special organization: Caden Johnson Memorial Fund, $57,192 Gerald Campbell won the drawing for a new Honda motorcycle. Other donated prizes went to Julie and Gary Touchstone (AGV helmet); Letti Sanchez (Dunlop tire); Michael Diaz (Tourmaster luggage); and Sam and Dawn Caine (Cardo Scala Rider). A team of local volunteers led by Gary and Julie Touchstone, Jeff Latimer, Gen White and Pat Evans organized the ride. Next year the event is moving to Texas Motor Speedway and will take place on the second Sunday in October. Riders help kids fly in Northern California Twenty years ago Northern California hosted its first Ride for Kids event, and many of the first participants were there yesterday in Fairfield to celebrate the occasion. The crowd brought $124,015 in donations to the PBTF. “Thank you, riders. You make me feel like I’m flying,” said 9-year-old brain tumor survivor Elias, who was joined at the ride by fellow stars Reiana, Malcolm, Elizabeth, Elias, Darren, Jaylen, Chelsea and Vanessa. Many of them accompanied the ride from Solano Community College past vineyards, lakes, rivers and farms. After the ride, participants heard from people whose lives have been affected by childhood brain tumors. “The technology that has been developed just in the amount of time [my son] has been sick has advanced enough to make a significant impact in his treatment,” said Malcolm’s dad, Duncan Sandiland. “That is what Ride for Kids fundraising efforts have brought to our family.” Northern California’s top fundraisers were: Individuals: Kirk and Ann Harry, $24,000 Motorcycle club/chapter: Curve Unit, $25,728 Motorcycle business: Hillside Honda, $6,985 Special organization: Sam Harry Foundation, $24,000 Ride for Kids appreciates the generosity of its event prize sponsors. American Honda donated a motorcycle that was won by Marge Higley. Other winners were B.J. Johnson (AGV helmet); Charles Horner (Dunlop tire); Jeannie Camara (Tourmaster luggage) and Duncan Sandiland (Cardo Scala Rider). Jim and Char Duncan, Tina Esquer and Dan Pasini led the local volunteer task force that organized this year’s ride. Mark your calendar now for Oct. 6, 2013, for the next Northern California Ride for Kids. About the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Ride for Kids Ride for Kids supports the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF), the world’s largest non-governmental source of funding for childhood brain tumor research. Proceeds also fund family support programs, including college scholarships for brain tumor survivors. We thank our presenting sponsor, Honda Riders Club of America, and our national insurance sponsor, GEICO. The next Ride for Kids events are in Phoenix and San Diego on Sunday, Oct. 21. Learn more at www.rideforkids.org or call 800-253-6530.