FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September
16, 2002
Columbia,
MD – The eleventh annual Columbia Ride for Kids® raised a remarkable $210,884
in donations on Sunday, September 15. Undeterred by the approaching rains of
Tropical Storm Hanna, the 850 motorcyclists raised 21% more at this year’s
event than in 2001.
More
children in America today die of brain tumors than from any other disease. The
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States (PBTFUS), sponsor of the
Columbia Ride for Kids®, invests the funds raised by the motorcyclists in
critically-needed brain tumor research and family support programs.
The
riders gathered in the early morning at the Mall in Columbia. Led by the
Manassas Honda Riders Club, the top fundraising club from 2001, the group embarked
on a 75-minute scenic ride through the Howard County countryside. The riders were
ably escorted by motorcycle officers of the Maryland State Police.
On
this day, the riders celebrate the lives of young brain tumor survivors. Many
patient-families attended the event. Riding in a sidecar piloted by Bob Henig
of Bob's BMW in Jessup was three-year old brain tumor survivor Ethan Gumabay
and his mother Kim.
The
motorcyclists arrived at Lincoln Tech, where they gathered for the foundation’s
Celebration of Life program. Kim
Gumabay brought tears to the eyes of the riders as she described how her
family’s world stopped when Ethan was diagnosed with a brain tumor this past
May. Gumabay explained that her brothers, who have been attending the Columbia
Ride for Kids® for 9 years, mobilized their family’s support and contacted the
PBTFUS for guidance. She thanked the
foundation for providing a ray of hope within days of Ethan's
diagnosis.
Scores
of volunteers assured that the event went off without a hitch. Thanks were
given to Task Force Leaders Bob Henig and Jackie Cooke, who worked tirelessly
throughout the year organizing the many details of this year’s ride.
Henig
was honored twice for the record amount of donations collected. As Top
Fundraiser, Henig raised a remarkable $47,250. Henig’s customers made sure his dealership, Bob’s BMW, earned the
Top Dealer award with an astounding $72,624 in donations. The Top Club award
went to Team Ethan, organized by Kevin Merrill, Ethan Gumabay’s uncle. Team
Ethan raised $18,498 to support PBTFUS programs.
The
Columbia Ride for Kids® is one of 22 Ride for Kids® events scheduled in 2002 by
the PBTFUS to support research and family support programs. The next event will
occur on Sunday, September 22 in St. Louis, MO. For more information, call
(800) 253-6530 or visit www.ride4kids.org.
About
the PBTFUS
The
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the U.S. funds medical research grants and
clinical fellowships to help find the cause and cure of childhood brain tumors.
With more than $3 million dollars currently invested in 35 research grants at
leading institutions throughout the U.S., the PBTFUS is the largest non-profit
sponsor of childhood brain tumor research in the world. The Foundation also
offers family support programs for families with a child who has been diagnosed
with a brain tumor. Programs include free literature about brain tumors, the
Helping Hand national newsletter, the Informed Parent Internet Conference
series and scholarships for post-secondary education. For more information
about the PBTFUS, call (800) 253-6530 or visit: www.pbtfus.org.
END