Weekend Ride for Kids® events in North Oxford, Mass., and Salt Lake City, Utah, combined to raise more than $82,000 for pediatric brain tumor research and family support. Motorcyclists raise $54,000 in New England The Aug. 19 ride in North Oxford, Mass., attracted 260 motorcyclists and supporters as well as three local brain tumor patients. These “stars” led the ride through the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains before looping back for the Celebration of Life program. Unique to Ride for Kids® events, the Celebration of Life allows fundraisers to hear directly from the children their efforts help. In New England, they heard the inspiring stories of Ryen, 7, Caitlin, 17, and Gary, 19, a PBTF scholarship recipient. Neuro-oncologist Dr. Nicole Ullrich of Children’s Hospital in Boston also told the crowd how important it is to fund research into childhood brain tumors. The 10th annual New England Ride for Kids® raised $54,052. Top fundraiser Dave Odess, who along with Perry Robertson contributed $7,335, said, “I do this to help kids like Ryen. The kids like this keep me motivated.” Odess also won the drawing for the grand prize Honda motorcycle. The top fundraising club was GWRRA RI Chapter B of Lincoln, R.I. with $14,676. Customers of Venco Wings of Loudon, N.H., brought $12,204 to make it the top motorcycle business. Special thanks went to the local New England Ride for Kids® task force, led by Shirley and Wayne Anderson, Cheryl and Ron Hrasna, and Dave Odess. Together with their hardworking volunteers, they made it an unforgettable day for the kids. Salt Lake riders donate over $28,000 At the third annual Salt Lake City Ride for Kids®, 150 motorcyclists and supporters contributed $28,550. The ride left from This is the Place Heritage Park with a police escort, climbing the heights of Emigration Canyon, elevation 7,000 feet. The route featured truly spectacular long range views of massive rock formations and several reservoirs. When the riders reached the shade trees of Morgan City Park, they participated in a powerful Celebration of Life program. The stars of the day were five local brain tumor patients, including 6-year-old Jimmy and Paul, 8, who is learning Braille. “Thanks for all you’ve done to give us hope so all the other kids don’t have to go through what I’ve been through,” said Lindsey, 21, a PBTF scholarship recipient. The event’s top individual fundraisers were Walter and Donna Young of Elko, Nev., with $9,013. Members of GWRRA NV Chapter H turned in $10,558 to become the top club, and the top motorcycle business was Kruzers of Spring Creek, Nev., with $10,558. Brett Hodges of Elko, Nev., won the grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle. Many thanks to the volunteers of the local task force, led by Shelley and Spero Politis, for putting together a great day for the kids. About the PBTF Ride for Kids® Since 1984, the national Ride for Kids® program and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) have promoted childhood brain tumor research and provided family support through free literature about brain tumors, educational newsletters, online conferences and college scholarships. With the help of America’s motorcycling community, the PBTF has become the world’s largest non-governmental source of funding for childhood brain tumor research. The next PBTF Ride for Kids® events are on Sunday, Aug. 26 in North Carolina and Michigan. For more information, go to rideforkids.org or call 800-253-6530.