Ann Arbor motorcyclists add $157K to Ride for Kids research effort
1 September 2000
<News of motorcyclists raising money for the Ride for Kids may seem ordinary these days, but for parents like Robilyn, mother of 5-year old brain tumor patient Zachary, its extraordinary. Families across America have 157,630 more reasons to cheer today, thanks to the riders who participated in the Ann Arbor Ride for Kids on Sunday, August 27. The $157,630 raised to fund the research for the cause and cure of pediatric brain tumors represents a whopping increase of $65,000 over the funds raised last year. Sunday morning's dawn illuminated a beautiful pastoral setting at Domino$B!G(Bs Farms in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but the motorcyclists did not seem to notice. It was as if they were in a hurry to arrive for this special day. At 10:00am, the dual sport riders departed for a two hour ride across the back roads and trails surrounding the Ann Arbor area. At 11:00am, nearly 500 street motorcycles left on a special ride around the local countryside, escorted by Washtenaw County Sheriff's officers and Ann Arbor city police. At the front of the ride were six brain tumor survivors along with moms, dads, brothers, sisters, grandparents and other relatives. It was a special day for the kids, and it was obvious by the big smiles that they were having a great time. The dual sport riders and the road riders all returned en masse just in time to eat lunch and head to the big top tent for the $B!H(BCelebration of Life$B!I(B. As always, a standing ovation was given to the law enforcement officers, who gave the riders the special opportunity to ride non-stop safely through the countryside. Dr. Sandra Rempel was a huge hit as she explained how her laboratory had now learned what types of protein the tumor cells needed to grow, and that they were looking for ways to keep that protein from getting to the abnormal cells. Each year Dr. Rempel brings information to the ride that gives hope that an answer is close at hand. There was a huge cheer when the top fundraiser was introduced. Mr. Rob Proctor, who$B!G(Bs 4-year old daughter Katy has a brain tumor, had collected $21,047 in honor of Katy$B!G(Bs upcoming 5th birthday. Congratulations to the Michigan Cycle Conservation Club, which took top club honors with $22,170. Top dealer honors went to American Harley Davidson of Ann Arbor, whose customers and employees brought $20,953. An astonished Bob Lorenz was the winner of a brand new Honda motorcycle, courtesy of American Honda. Congratulations to Task Force Leaders Bill Chapin and Bob Lorenz and the many task force members and volunteers who, along with the 775 participants, made this a very special day for the families of children who suffer from the disease of brain tumors. The next Ride for Kids event will be held in Enumclaw, Washington (near Seattle) on Sunday September 10, 2000. For more information on the Ride for Kids and the work of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the U.S., call 828-665-6891 or visit the web sites at http://www.ride4kids.org or http://www.pbtfus.org. END
