RIDE FOR KIDS

Western Pennsylvania Motorcyclists Ride to Cure the Deadliest Childhood Cancer

Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s Ride for Kids Motorcycle Charity Event Raises Critical Funds for Childhood Brain Tumor Research and Family Support Programs

On average 13 children will be diagnosed with a brain tumor every day, the deadliest childhood cancer. On Sunday, August 4, 2019, the Western Pennsylvania motorcycle community rode to change that. Hosted by the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, the Western Pennsylvania Ride for Kids funds critical research for a cure, as well as family support programs such as emergency financial assistance, peer support and college and vocational scholarships for survivors.

Ride for Kids participants enjoyed a 44-mile, police-escorted motorcycle ride through scenic Butler County beginning and ending at Seneca Valley High School. Local pediatric brain tumor patients and survivors accompanied motorcyclists on their ride. Any make or model of street-legal motorcycle was welcome, and the whole family - including non-riders – enjoyed a hot breakfast and lunch, games, prizes, and entertainment. Registration cost $40 per person online ($45 day-of) and included a Ride for Kids T-shirt, ride pin and food at event. This year there were 17 STARS and their families in attendance, along with over 150 bikes. They raised just over $50,000.00 to help the cause.

The funds and awareness raised by Ride for Kids have helped the PBTF:

 Invest more than $30 million in research at more than 50 centers worldwide, including a 2019 grant to a researcher at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

 Provide emergency financial assistance to families whose child is in treatment

 Award more than 1,500 college and vocational scholarships to brain tumor survivors

 Equip newly-diagnosed families with the Starfolio resource notebook

 Make cancer care less scary for children through the award-winning animated film series, the Imaginary Friend Society

Ride for Kids is the longest-running, most successful motorcycle charity event in the nation. American Honda is the national presenting sponsor of Ride for Kids, an American Motorcyclist Association-sanctioned event.

ABOUT THE PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION

As the world’s leading nonprofit dedicated to children and teens with brain tumors, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s mission is to care for families along their journey, cure all childhood brain tumors, and help survivors and families thrive. Since 1991, we have funded more than $30 million in scientific discovery to increase survivorship, improve quality of life, and ultimately eliminate pediatric brain tumors. We also provide emotional, informational, and logistical support to help families navigate their journey, including the Starfolio Resource Notebook for the newly diagnosed, emergency financial assistance Butterfly Fund, and award-winning Imaginary Friend Society. Our signature Ride for Kids, Starry Night, and Vs. Cancer events rally supporters across the country, and regional offices provide critical on-the-ground support to families. Visit www.curethekids.org/mission to learn more. You can see more photos from the ride at https://thebikerstradingpost.smugmug.com/Ride-for-Kids-2019/