Star Sara leads the South Florida event.
The 2015 Ride for Kids season began over the weekend in Southern California and South Florida, with motorcyclists raising $70,897 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.
Close to 300 motorcyclists gathered for the events in San Bernardino, Calif., on April 11 and Deerfield Beach, Fla., on April 12. The events honored each city’s local brain tumor survivors, our Stars: Brandon, Izaiah, Jonathan, Penelope and Sara.
“My brother having a brain tumor is very scary. All I want to do is protect him,” said Izaiah’s sister, Jade, 10. “Coming to the Ride for Kids event makes him feel good. Thank you for helping him.”
Motorcyclists across the country ride to make a difference in the lives of children fighting brain tumors. Funds raised at Ride for Kids events help the PBTF fund medical research and family support programs.
South Florida
Sunny skies greeted participants at the 11th South Florida Ride for Kids on April 12. More than 145 participants gathered for event, which had raised $31,328 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation at ride time.
The event’s Stars were the three local brain tumor survivors who led the ride in the Deerfield Beach area: Jonathan, Penelope and Sara.
“Brain tumor research has made great strides over the past 10 to 15 years, and the only way we can continue to move forward is through research. The PBTF supports this kind of research,” Dr. Brian Cauff of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital told the crowd. “Family support funded by the PBTF is also a huge part of the recovery.”
As of April 13, the individual, motorcycle club/chapter and motorcycle business with the most raised were the Craven/Meyers family ($10,000), Children’s Charity Riders ($4,170) and Dragon Trikes ($1,410).
The event is still collecting donations online at www.rideforkids.org. Fundraisers will receive incentive credit through May 12.
Michael Sebag won the drawing for a new Honda CMX250CE, and Edward Szerlip won a Scorpion helmet. A Cardo Systems Scala Rider TeamSet went to Chana Gross and a Dunlop motorcycle tire went to Martine Carnie.
A big thank-you goes to the hardworking volunteers who organized the event. This year’s task force leaders were Rick Morales and David Cooper.
Star Izaiah with his mother, Ami, and sister Jade at the SoCal event.
Southern California
More than 140 participants gathered under sunny skies for the 23rd Southern California Dual Sport Ride for Kids on April 11. As of ride time, motorcyclists had raised $39,569 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.
The event’s Stars were local brain tumor survivors Izaiah and Brandon.
“My brother having a brain tumor is very scary. All I want to do is protect him,” said Izaiah’s sister Jade, 10. “Coming to the Ride for Kids event makes him feel good. Thank you for helping him.”
As of April 13, the individual, motorcycle club/chapter and motorcycle business with the most raised were the Autumn Vallecorsa ($9,396), Orange County Dualies ($19,005) and Orange County KTM Husqvarna ($15,736).
The event is still collecting donations online at www.rideforkids.org. Fundraisers will receive incentive credit through May 11.
Keith Barkow won the drawing for a new Honda CRF100FE, and Tim Bielski won a Scorpion helmet. A Cardo Systems Scala Rider TeamSet went to Takayuki Nakanunce and a Dunlop motorcycle tire went to Jeff Fisher.
Thank you to the dedicated volunteers who organized this year’s event. This year’s task force leaders were Paul Flanders, Kieth Huff, Buddy Percin and Autumn Vallecorsa.
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