In 2021, Ride for Kids participants, powersports industry leaders American Honda and the Comoto Family of Brands, along with partners from across the motorcycling community, went the extra mile to support children battling brain tumors. Raising a cumulative $1.3 million and counting, 24 riding communities around the nation celebrated the inaugural National Ride for Kids Day by hitting the road to benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF).
Pediatric brain tumors are the deadliest childhood cancer and the most common cancer in children under 15 years of age. While recent scientific discoveries fueled by Ride for Kids supporters have unlocked new treatment options, the number of brain tumor diagnoses in children is rising each year. Far too many children still face a 0% survival rate and those who do survive face the threat of their tumor returning and a lifetime of side effects.
Volunteers, riders, fundraisers and corporate sponsors were excited to gather in support of PBTF’s Ride for Kids program. The 2021 edition brought many exciting additions and milestones:
- Twenty-four communities across the nation came together virtually and in-person on September 12, 2021 – the inaugural National Ride for Kids Day, to ride together in support of PBTF.
- To celebrate 30 years of partnership in the fight against pediatric brain tumors, American Honda generously donated three Repsol-edition CBR1000RR sport bikes from their private collection to be auctioned through Iconic Motorbikes in support of the PBTF, in addition to the five new Honda motorcycles donated to help increase participation and fundraising.
- Ride for Kids welcomed the Comoto Family of Brands as a new industry partner. Comoto’s RIDE. DONATE. SHOP. promotion, through their RevZilla, Cycle Gear, J&P Cycles, and REVER brands, generated critical funds in support of PBTF’s mission, recruited new riders and motorcycle industry partners, and included the company’s largest “shop to support” campaign on National Ride for Kids Day.
- Ride for Kids created a hybrid in-person and virtual fundraising model and raised $1.3 million and counting.
“For 30 years, American Honda has played an integral role in the fight to end pediatric brain tumors,” said Bob McNamara, PBTF’s National Director of Fundraising and Community Engagement. “With Honda’s continued support and the addition of new industry partners like the Comoto Family of Brands, PBTF’s Ride for Kids program continues to engage motorcyclists across the nation who are helping to change the outcome for kids with brain tumors by doing what they love most – riding. These collaborative and creative partnerships are getting us closer to a cure.”
Motorcyclists have been supporting the mission since 1984, when PBTF founders and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductees Mike and Dianne Traynor hosted the first Ride for Kids in support of a colleague’s child. The PBTF looks forward to honoring the Ride for Kids tradition and the Traynors’ legacy for years to come. Through continued industry collaboration and the outstanding work of Ride for Kids volunteers and fundraisers, the event will continue to fuel research until no parent has to hear the devastating words “Your child has brain cancer.”
Information about the 2022 National Ride for Kids Day and local ride events will be available in January. To stay up to date on all Ride for Kids and PBTF-related news, visit www.curethekids.org and follow Ride for Kids and PBTF on social media.
About the Pediatric Brain Tumor FoundationEvery day, 13 children and teens are diagnosed with a brain tumor, the deadliest and most common form of cancer in kids under 15. Every day after, they are in a fight for their life. It’s a fight the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is here to help families win. A leader in the brain tumor and childhood cancer communities, PBTF’s mission of Care. Cure. Thrive. reflects its commitment to curing all pediatric brain tumors and transforming how children and their families are cared for. Since 1991, PBTF has provided strategic leadership and funding to accelerate the number of targeted therapies for children battling brain tumors today, while equipping families with the patient-family education, financial relief, and emotional support they need to navigate their child’s journey. A world without childhood brain tumors is possible when we work together to put kids first. Learn more at www.curethekids.org.
