| I've participated in this Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation event for 6 of the 8 years it's been held, including the inaugural event. Over the years, I've taken several different kids in my sidecar, including the best friend of a patient who passed the following year. For the last couple years, I've always taken a young girl named Angelina, who was diagnosed at the tender age of 4. This year she's 10 and remains in remission. Unfortunately, her parents are going through a nasty divorce and although Angelina's mom showed up, her ex - and more importantly her daughter - did not. I felt badly for the family and still had a chance to give the mom a hug and a gift for Angelina.
Thus, I had a new rider this year. Her name is Rebecca - just like my daughter - and she's the mom of Natasha, who is a 16-year-old PBT patient diagnosed in 2010. Tasha, as her mother calls her, was doing well and was enjoying her first PBTF ride in another sidecar. After aquainting herself with the sidecar, Rebecca and I set out with several hundred other bikes along a beautiful course set out for us behind a police escort. We rode through along some awesome roads and with the assistance of a large number of fire police and volunteers, ended up back at the school about an hour after we'd left.
Upon our return, they had bagged lunches from LeBus for us and we got to listen to some speakers and the kids. There were raffle prizes awarded including a Honda motorcycle. While I didn't win anything, we did raise almost $90,000 for the cause. It is alwaysl a wonderful experience and one I hope my RK brotheren will consider joining me for next year. |
