Ride for Kids is the longest-running, most successful motorcycle charity event in the nation. For over 30 years, motorcyclists have been on the front line fighting for kids and doing everything they can to combat pediatric brain tumors. The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is currently the top nonprofit raising money for research on childhood brain tumors.
I had the opportunity to attend the Virginia Ride for Kids event on June 5 at the Richmond Times-Dispatch headquarters in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Every rider and volunteer represented the foundation's beautiful mission. During event, they highlight local children and teenagers with brain tumors as stars. Everything about the event salutes these kids and makes them feel special. They are each invited to ride on the back of one of the many motorcycles provided by the participants of the event. I have never seen so many motorcycles, and not just motorcycles but Corvettes and something called a Slingshot, which was a super-fancy tricycle that had my jaw on the ground when it pulled up.
Two of the teenagers at the Virginia ride are attending nursing school in the fall because of the scholarships that the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation was able to provide through donations and events like the Virginia Ride. This definitely put my own education opportunity in perspective for me.
So after spending all day at this event, all I could think about raising the awareness of this fantastic cause and event. So, here are my five things you have to know about Ride for Kids and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation:
1. More than 28,000 children in the United States are living with the diagnosis of a brain tumor.
It is estimated that 4, 671 children are diagnosed with a brain tumor every year in the U.S. Fourteen kids are diagnosed every day.
2. Brain tumors are one of the deadliest forms of childhood cancer.
There are more than 100 different types of pediatric brain tumors, making diagnosis and treatment extremely difficult for each and every child.
3. The foundation has already raised more than 24 million dollars in research funds.
The Virginia Ride for Kids event and task force has raised more than $1 million and is already on its way to its second in just 14 years.
4. The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation does not just raise money for research, scholarships, and family support.
PBTF also works to educate the public and promote legislation to benefit each and every child and family whose life has been altered by a brain tumor diagnosis.
5. There are so many ways to support this amazing cause.
You can share your story, purchase PBTF merchandise, hold your own Ride for Kids or Starry Night event, or just donate. Every dollar counts and every dollar brings us all one step closer to 100 percent survival rate.
You can attend a Ride for Kids or Starry Night event near you. For locations and information, check out curethekids.org/events/ride-for-kids and curethekids.org/events/starry-night
Together, we can cure the kids. You can find more information on Ride for Kids and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation at curethekids.org.
