From the mountains of North Carolina to history-rich sites of Massachusetts, motorcyclists hit the road over the weekend for kids battling brain tumors.
These family-friendly Ride for Kids events, held in Asheville, N.C., and Framingham, Mass., raised $84,236 to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s lifesaving research and life-changing family support programs.
The Aug. 23 events honored nine local brain tumor survivors, our Ride for Kids Stars: Chloe, Connor, Hannah, Holmes, Julia, Matthew, Megan, Ryan and Sara.
Dr. Charles Stiles of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, attended the New England event to support the Stars.
“In regards to the war on pediatric brain tumors, it’s the best of times and the worst of times,” Stiles said. “We have the best technology to make smart drugs that cause less side effects. But it is the worst of times because government funds available have never been lower. You are our strategic advantage. You give us freedom and funds that allow us to succeed.”
The event are still collecting donations online at www.rideforkids.org
Asheville
More than 220 motorcyclists participated in the 22nd Asheville Ride for Kids to honor local brain tumor survivors Connor, Hannah, Holmes, Julia, Matthew, Megan and Sara.
These survivors are Ride for Kids Stars, and their families are grateful for motorcyclists’ fundraising efforts for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.
Star Matthew took the Ride for Kids stage with his 2-year-old son. “Thirteen years ago when I was diagnosed, we didn’t even know if I’d be able to even have children,” Matthew said. “But it’s thanks to the fundraising efforts that good people like you have done to research treatments, that we are able to have normal lives. Thanks very much for all that you do for us and all the money you’ve raised for research to make our lives better.”
Motorcyclists met at the WNC Ag Center Expo Hall in Fletcher before taking a scenic ride along winding mountain roads from Hickory Nut Gorge to Bat Cave, then back to the Ag Center.
When the riders returned, they heard from Dr. Eric Thompson, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Duke University Medical Center. “Organizations like the PBTF are conducting the best science, clinical, basic and transitional research,” he told the crowd.
The Joe Lasher Jr. Band performed for guests, and Eddie Foxx from 99.9 KISS Country emceed the program.
Melanie Kirkland won the drawing for a new Honda Rebel. Pat MacGregor won a Scorpion helmet and William Neglia won a Dunlop tire. A Cardo Systems Scala Rider TeamSet went to Grover Lewis.
As of Aug. 24, the individuals, motorcycle club/chapter and motorcycle business with the most raised were Robin and Tammy Ferguson ($7,500), GWRRA NC-I ($7,680) and MR Motorcycle ($11,153). The top non-motorcycle group was the Holmes Team ($2,885).
The event had raised a total of $43,297 by ride time, and is still collecting donations online. Fundraisers will receive incentive credit through Sept. 23.
Thank you to the volunteers who organized the event. This year’s task force leaders were Freddy Keilman, Melanie Kirkland and Pat Harvey.
New England
Motorcyclists in New England gathered for the 18th time on Aug. 23 to honor local brain tumor survivors. This year’s Stars were Ryan and Chloe, who led the ride from the Bose Corporation in Framingham, Mass., through the beautiful New England countryside.
Participants’ fundraising efforts support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, which funds lifesaving research and family support programs for children battling brain tumors.
“In regards to the war on pediatric brain tumors, it’s the best of times and the worst of times,” Dr. Charles Stiles of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute told the crowd. “We have the best technology to make smart drugs that cause less side effects. But it is the worst of times because government funds available have never been lower. You are our strategic advantage. You give us freedom and funds that allow us to succeed.”
Miss Massachusetts 2015, Meagan Fuller, also made an appearance at the event.
Michael Parker won the drawing for a new Honda Rebel. Joe Amore won a Scorpion helmet and Richard Boucher won a Dunlop tire. A Cardo Systems Scala Rider TeamSet went to Martin Kaiser.
As of Aug. 24, the individual and motorcycle club/chapter with the most raised were Vladimir Giterman ($10,149) and Metro West Motorcycle Riders ($10,458). The top non-motorcycle group was Big Jon’s Team, in memory of John Boress ($5,983).
The event had raised a total of $40,939 by ride time, and is still collecting donations online. Fundraisers will receive incentive credit through Sept. 23.
Thank you to task force leader Vladimir Giterman for helping to organize the event.
