Phoenix Ride For Kids Sets Record

The Arizona skies filled with sunshine on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005, as more than 500 motorcyclists, fundraisers, patient families and volunteers gathered for the ninth annual Phoenix Ride for Kids®. Their fundraising efforts on behalf of kids fighting brain tumors contributed $180,840 to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s medical research and family support programs.

The police-escorted riders left Glendale Arena in Glendale for a tour of the winding backroads of the stunning desert landscape before returning to the arena for the moving Celebration of Life program. There they honored four young brain tumor survivors for their courage and perseverance—Tanner, 5; Shelby, 9; Bryce, 11; and Logan, 12. The children were joined on stage by Steve, an adult survivor of a childhood brain tumor. Other special guests included Glendale city councilman Phil Leiberman and GWRRA executive director Don Brock.

Dr. Michael Berens of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) thanked the motorcyclists for their fundraising support, saying, “Your contributions are key to the success of our research.” Bryce’s mom, Charlene, said, “We need all of your help. Because of you, PBTF’s support of research will help us find a cure.”

The Phoenix event raised a total of $ 180,840 . Scott and Mary Jo White, who started the Nikki’s Hope foundation after a brain tumor took their daughter’s life, were the top individual fundraisers with a total of $85,000. The top club was Nikki’s Hope with $86,000, followed by the Tucson Red Riders (HRCA), whose members raised $12,636. The customers of Western Honda raised $90,934 to make it the top motorcycle business. Roger Phillips of Tucson was the winner of a brand-new Honda motorcycle donated by American Honda Motor Company.

Special thanks went to Phoenix’s task force leaders—Edie and Dave Hewitt and Clark Roushey, along with the dedicated task force members and day-of-event volunteers, for hosting a wonderful event.