RIDE FOR KIDS(r) CELEBRATES LARGEST FUNDRAISING
WEEKEND IN ITS HISTORY!
Press Release

Date: July 19, 2004.  Vito Racanelli, Chicagoland Ride for Kids(r) Co-Task Force Leader, and the Ride for Kids(r) "stars" present the grand total check at the 2004 Chicagoland Ride for Kids(r)

Over 3600 caring motorcyclists at this weekend's two Ride for Kids(r) events, one in Chicago, IL and the other in Utica, NY, came together at these events to raise a new Ride for Kids(r) national record for a single weekend, $481,050, for childhood brain tumor research.  Since 1984, the Ride for Kids(r) has been raising money to fund the research and family support
programs of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

On Sunday, July 18th, the 16th Annual Chicagoland Ride for Kids(r) took place under glorious, perfect blue skies.  An amazing 2700 motorcyclists and patient families thoroughly enjoyed the safe police-escorted ride through
the villages and countryside of Chicago's northern suburbs.  During the Celebration of Life ceremony at Allstate Insurance Headquarters in Northbrook, IL, under the massive, billowing "Big Top Tent", the riders learned they had raised a Ride for Kids(r) all-time record of $368,271 for
pediatric brain tumor research!  Volunteers, motorcyclists, fundraisers and patient families listened as Dr. James Ruffer, a local neuro-oncologist, talked about the latest advances in childhood brain tumor research.  Representative Robert W. Churchill, a member of the Illinois General Assembly - District 62, was on hand to proclaim July 18, 2004 as Ride for Kids(r) Day in Illinois.  On stage, nine Ride for Kids(r) "stars" had a ball chatting with National Ride for Kids(r) Director Allen Hughes.  Sedric, whose 17-year old daughter Ashley is a brain tumor survivor, commented, "If it were not for what you folks have done, my daughter would probably not be
graduating from high school this year."

John and Julie Runzel were the Top Individual Fundraisers with a total of $15,031.  The Top Club honor went to GWRRA IL Chapter G2 whose members raised $102,558.  The Top Dealer was Nielsen's Enterprises whose customers
raised $110,740.  Mike Vermilyer of Bristol, WI was the winner of a brand new Honda motorcycle donated by the American Honda Motor Company.

Extra special thanks to Chicagoland Ride for Kids(r) Task Force Leaders Vito Racanelli, Bob Wagner and Larry Dubisz and their hardworking volunteer force for a fantastic event.

Cassandra, a Ride for Kids(r) "star", enjoys the 2004 Utica Ride for Kids(r)

Across the country, another Ride for Kids(r) event was occurring simultaneously.  In Utica, NY, participants of the 7th Annual Utica Ride for
Kids(r) also enjoyed spectacular summer weather.  The 900 motorcyclists, volunteers, fundraisers and patient families joined forces to raise a remarkable $112,779 for childhood brain tumor research.  The motorcyclists rode through beautiful upstate New York to the quaint Village of Old Forge, which is an entrance to the majestic Adirondacks.  There, during the Celebration of Life, they listened to the eight Ride for Kids(r) "stars" who stole the hearts of everyone there as they visited with National Ride for Kids(r) Manager Richard Thompson.  Jim Simpson, of the New York State Police, commented that the Utica Ride for Kids(r) is the most enjoyable Ride they participate in on a yearly basis.  The New York State Police graciously provided the police escort for this year's Utica Ride for Kids(r).

Peter and Jim Weidman were the Top Individual Fundraisers with a total of $10,463.  The Top Club was the Star Society whose members raised $18,499.  The Top Dealer was D&M whose customers brought $26,088.  The winner of the brand new Honda motorcycle donated by the American Honda Motor Company was Steve Casey of Ilian, NY.

Special thanks to Utica Ride for Kids(r) Task Force Leaders Ken and Kathy Sweatman and Steve and Karen Clary and their dedicated team of volunteers for a wonderful event!

The next Ride for Kids(r) event is on Sunday, July 25 in Minnesota (White Bear Lake, MN).

For more information about the Ride for Kids(r) and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, please visit www.rideforkids.org or call (800) 253-6530.