Motorcyclists at Ride for Kids® events in California, Colorado and Ohio rode together to raise more than $190,000 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) on June 8. SoCal dualies raise over $82,800 The 16th annual Dual Sport Ride for Kids® in San Bernardino, Calif., was a huge success, raising more than $82,800 for the PBTF. The 270 dual sport riders and supporters who gathered on a sunny morning at Glen Helen Raceway enjoyed a delicious pancake breakfast before the Celebration of Life program. Three young men talked about their experiences as brain tumor survivors. Bryan, 16, is a desert racer who rode in the event, the first “star” to do so. Trent, 14, is looking forward to his summer job. “Thank you for raising as much money as you are for kids like me with brain tumors,” he told the crowd. The program was followed by a thrilling ride through the wilds of San Bernardino National Forest. This unique Ride for Kids® event featured 90 miles of remote trails that are normally closed to off-road traffic. The event raised a total of $82,844. The top individual fundraiser was Eric Bondis of La Mirada, Calif., who brought $9,500 in donations. The Orange County Dualies raised $54,765 to be the top club/chapter, while the top motorcycle business was Beaumont Honda with $49,455 in customer contributions. Robert Torgerson of Canyon Country, Calif., won the grand-prize Honda motorcycle. Big thanks went to the local task force, led by Jim and Roberta Woods, Paul Flanders and Buddy Percin. They and their hardworking event volunteers made the event special for the kids and riders alike. Colorado riders break through to blue skies Threatening weather in Golden, Colo., didn’t stop motorcyclists from raising more than $56,000 at the area’s fifth annual Ride for Kids® yesterday. Heritage Square Park was the meeting spot for more than 160 riders and supporters. Early hail and rain gave way to blue skies for the police-escorted event, which followed winding mountain roads into the Front Range and featured wide vistas of snow-capped peaks. Four local brain tumor patients, including Shelby, 12, and PBTF scholarship recipient Brystal, 21, were the stars of the day. The Celebration of Life program featured their stories as well as words from parents and the local medical community. Pediatric oncology nurse practitioner Jody Dickerson expressed her gratitude, as did Dr. Lea Gore, a pediatric oncologist from Children’s Hospital in Denver. “The funds PBTF provides create miracles,” Dr. Gore told the appreciative crowd. The event raised a total of $56,200. Pam McCombs brought $8,527 to become the top individual fundraiser, while members of the top chapter/club, BMW Motorcycle Club of Colorado, raised $12,128. The top motorcycle business was Apex Sports with $11,287 in customer donations. The grand prize, a Honda motorcycle, went to Linda Sheely of Elbert, Colo. Many thanks to Colorado’s hardworking task force, led by P.J. Wilderman and Chris Spanos. They and their event volunteers organized a terrific event. Cleveland riders beat fundraising record The day was hot, but so was the support in Cleveland, Ohio, as more than 350 motorcyclists and supporters gathered for the area’s fourth annual Ride for Kids®. Together they raised more than $51,000 for the PBTF, a 19 percent increase over last year’s announced total. The police-escorted ride left Rocky River High School for the streams and lush green countryside of the Cleveland Metroparks. A joyous Celebration of Life program followed at Woodridge Middle School in Peninsula. There the riders and fundraisers honored the six “stars” of the day, including 10-year-olds Josh and Taylor and Emily, 3. The crowd also heard from Dr. Tanya Tekautz and Dr. Gerald Plautz of the Cleveland Clinic Hospitals. “Seventy percent of kids survive and lead a long life thanks to your efforts,” said Dr. Tekautz. “More research is needed to understand and treat this disease.” The event raised a total of $51,347. The top individual fundraisers were Rich and Jennifer Silva of Cleveland, who brought $6,655. GWRRA OH-C3 was the top chapter/club with $13,562 raised, while $6,992 in customer donations made Sills Motors Sales of Cleveland the top motorcycle business. Tim Beck of Columbia Station, Ohio, won the grand-prize Honda motorcycle. Many thanks to Cleveland’s task force, led by Dave and Ruth Ostoich and Frank Strack. Together with their event volunteers, this dedicated group gave the kids a day to remember. 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 25th PBTF Ride for Kids® season continues on Saturday, June 21, 2008, in Knoxville, Tenn. For more information, go to rideforkids.org or call 800-253-6530.