The Ride For Kids

Steven and Jordan

Today was the first Ride For Kids event held in San Diego. The Ride for Kids is a fundraising event for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, where cyclists raise money and then participate in rides in different locations around the country. Kids with brain tumors and their families are invited to come and go along for the ride.

Jordan in her sidecar with her mom Angela and Jordan's cyclist

Several families from San Diego participated. Our friend Jordan was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a more common form of the same type of tumor that Steven has, at age two. After whole-brain and spinal radiation and three stem cell transplants, she turned six a month ago and is doing well.

Steven with his cyclist Sean (Scooter Man)

Each of us were given helmets and assigned to a cyclist.

Sean with his cyclist Keith

Sean got to ride in a sidecar.

Sean situated in the sidecar

Keith told us after the ride that Sean was so comfortable for part of the time that he took a nap.

Doug rode with Patrick

Patrick had an Oakland Raiders flag on the back of his bike, and he told Doug that he only gave rides to Raiders fans. Living in San Diego, we're most definitely Chargers fans, and the Chargers and the Raiders are mortal enemies, but we didn't tell him that.

I rode with Tom on a BMW

I rode with Tom. We headed out into the Rancho Santa Fe backcountry, then to Lake Hodges for about a 90-minute ride.

Our family and Jordan with Steven's cyclist

It rained a bit, but not too hard and we'd come prepared.

Steven on stage

Afterward, there was lunch and Steven and the other kids who participated were interviewed.

Jordan wanted no part of speaking onstage

And best of all, they raised $40,000 for pediatric brain tumor research! Thank God for all the people who care.

- Kathleen