Cheers filled the air yesterday in Asheville, N.C., and Ann Arbor, Mich., as more than 1,100 Ride for Kids® participants celebrated raising $166,930 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s (PBTF) research and family support programs. Asheville motorcyclists raise $100,000 Riders gathered before sunrise at Biltmore Square Mall for the 13th annual Asheville event, eagerly anticipating the morning’s ride. The police-escorted event didn’t disappoint, as a five-mile column of motorcycles followed the scenic curves of the Blue Ridge Parkway down to the shores of Lake Lure. The Celebration of Life program featured 15 local brain tumor survivors, including PBTF scholarship recipient Matthew, 21. “You literally give us life,” he told the crowd of 750. “Thank you for everything you do.” Ride for Kids® proceeds help fund critical research at places such as the PBTF Institute at Duke University, headed by Dr. Darrel Bigner. He thanked the motorcyclists for enabling researchers to move from a “shotgun” to a “rifle” approach to fighting brain cancer cells in children. The Asheville ride raised a total of $100,000. Top individual fundraiser honors were shared by Denise Mathers of Hendersonville, N.C., and Leah Sherritt of Boulder, Colo., who brought $7,395. Members of GWRRA NC Chapter M2 of Hendersonville turned in $17,345 to make it the top club, and customers of MR Motorcycle of Asheville made it the top motorcycle business with $11,386 in donations. The grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle, went to Gary and Rhonda Burris of Asheville. Special thanks went to Asheville task force leader Peter Hartwick, the hardworking task force volunteers and day-of-event volunteers, for hosting a fantastic event. Ann Arbor riders top $66,900 Another great event took place that morning in Michigan, where 375 participants came out in the rain for the 15th annual Ann Arbor Ride for Kids®. Both the road ride and dual sport event left from Washtenaw Community College, following rolling, wooded roads along the Huron River before returning for the Celebration of Life program. There the crowd celebrated the survivorship of eight local children, including 10-year-olds Cara and Katie. Longtime Ann Arbor “star” Ruth, 23, told the motorcyclists, “I come back every year because you come back. You mean the world to me.” The total raised at the Ann Arbor event was $66,930. The top individual fundraisers were Rob and Denni Proctor of Allegan, Mich., who brought $8,000. The top club was Wheels for Wishes of Clare, Mich., with $6,785, while the customers of Central Motor Sports of Mt. Pleasant, Mich. turned in $4,241 to make it the top motorcycle business. The grand prize Honda went to Evert Bek of Lowell, Mich. Special thanks went to Ann Arbor’s task force leaders, Sue and Bob Lorenz and Kathy and Bill Chapin, visitation leaders Claudia and George Ellison, the dedicated volunteer task force and day-of-event volunteers, for organizing a safe, fun-filled event. About the PBTF Ride for Kids® Since 1984, the national Ride for Kids® program and 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 motorcyclists and motorcycle dealers, PBTF has become the world’s largest non-governmental source of funding for childhood brain tumor research. The next PBTF Ride for Kids® event is Sunday, Sept. 10 in Carnation, Wash. For more information, go to www.rideforkids.org or call 800-253-6530.
