Sacramento Ride for Kids nets $133K

Nearly 750 motorcyclists from northern California converged on Sacramento on
Sunday, October 7 for the annual Sacramento Ride for Kids. At the end of a
spectacular day, $133,028 had been raised to fund the search for the cause and
cure of pediatric brain tumors.

The morning dawned crisp and cool as the sun rose over the northern California
headquarters of All Pro Auto Parts. At 10:00 am, the call went out to "start
your engines" and the riders, led by ten officers of the California Highway
Patrol, wound their way through the California countryside en route to the
Amador County Fairgrounds in Plymouth.  As the riders headed north on Highway
16, an unbelievable sight of headlights and taillights on a mission to beat the
disease of children's brain tumors greeted the citizens lining the streets of
Sutter's Creek, the home of the California Gold Rush.


As the riders rolled into the fairgrounds, they were greeted by the sounds of
patriotic music coming from the big top tent. Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the
USA" brought the participants to their feet, waving every American flag they
could find. Following a special prayer to remember the lives lost on September
11, the program opened with a special rendition of the National Anthem sung by
all in attendance.


On stage, Leslie Sandiland, mother of 3-year old Malcolm, shared what the
journey of having a child with a brain tumor is like. Her words of encouragement
and hope brought tears to everyone's eyes and were an inspiration to all of the
families in attendance as well. It was a great day for the "kids" with 14
survivors on stage ranging in age from 3 to 17. These youngsters were a true
testament to the success of current research as several of these children were
attending their 6th and 7th Ride for Kids events.  A huge roar of approval arose
from the riders when a young man named Justin announced that he was now "a big
bad high school senior"!


Generous fundraisers were in full force at this event. Congratulations to
Charles and Phyllis Horner who brought $6,220 to fund research to find a cure
for this deadly disease. Top club honors went to GWRRA California chapter 2N
whose members brought $20,278. Mallots Honda was the number one dealer with a
whopping $21,168. Nick Bernard of Cameron Park, CA was absolutely speechless as
his name was drawn as the winner of the brand new Honda motorcycle.


Congratulations to Sacramento Task Force Leaders Jon and Kathy Carlson who,
along with the Northern California Task Force and 125 volunteers, created a very
special event for the motorcyclists and family members who on this day brought
$133,028 to fund the programs of the PBTFUS.


The next Ride for Kids will be the 5th annual Phoenix Ride for Kids on Sunday
October 21, 2001. For more information about the Ride for Kids and the programs
of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the US, call (800) 253-6530 or visit
these websites: www.ride4kids.org or www.pbtfus.org.