The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF), in conjunction with the task force leaders of the Los Angeles Ride for Kids, is alerting the public that the 21st Annual Los Angeles Ride for Kids—a motorcycle charity ride that supports the Foundation’s mission to fund research into pediatric brain tumors and to support children and families affected by them—will traverse certain streets in Torrance, Palos Verdes Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes on the morning of Sunday, May 6, starting at approximately 10 a.m. and lasting to approximately 11:30 a.m.
The motorcyclists, who will likely number 800-1,000, will ride in a visually stunning column and will be escorted by a motorcycle escort service and police motor officers; the escorts and officers will close intersections on the route on a rolling basis.
Among the riders will be Ride for Kids “Stars”—children who are fighting or have fought brain tumors—and their families, who will ride in motorcycle side-cars or as passengers on two-person motorcycles. Last year the Los Angeles Ride for Kids raised over $250,000 for the PBTF.
The route, which begins and ends at the American Honda Motor Co. headquarters in Torrance, is as follows:
- West on Torrance Boulevard from Engracia Avenue in Torrance to Crenshaw Boulevard;
- South on Crenshaw Boulevard to Palos Verdes Drive North in Rancho Palos Verdes;
- West on Palos Verdes Drive North (into Palos Verdes Estates) to Palos Verdes Drive West;
- South on Palos Verdes Drive West to Paseo Del Mar;
- South on Paseo Del Mar to Paseo Lunado;
- East on Paseo Lunado to Palos Verdes Drive West;
- South on Palos Verdes Drive West (through Palos Verdes Estates and into Rancho Palos Verdes) to Hawthorne Boulevard;
- North on Hawthorne Boulevard (through Rancho Palos Verdes to Torrance) to Torrance Blvd.;
- East on Torrance Blvd. to Engracia Avenue and back to the American Honda Motor Co. campus.
As the charity ride progresses over this route, other motorists can anticipate waiting for 10 to 15 minutes as the ride passes by. The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and the Los Angeles Ride of Kids thank the public for their patience and support, and hope the public understands that any delay they may experience in their morning plans ultimately benefits children suffering from brain tumors. The public is urged to add an additional 20 minutes to any morning travel plans they may have between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
If members of the public would like to participate in the ride, registration opens at 8 a.m. at the Honda campus, located at 1919 Torrance Boulevard in Torrance (enter the campus off of Van Ness Avenue at Central). Non-riders are welcome to attend as well. The ride culminates in a moving Celebration of Life program featuring onstage interviews with local childhood brain tumor survivors and award presentations to top fundraisers.
Proceeds of the event fund medical research grants and family support programs. Motorcyclists participating in rides nationwide have helped raise more than $67 million to find the cause of and cure for childhood brain tumors. PBTF-funded research has led to treatments that are extending the lives of children afflicted with brain tumors.
WHEN: Sunday, May 6, 2012
Registration starts at 8 a.m. and closes at 9:45 a.m.
Ride leaves at 10 a.m. sharp, rain or shine
WHERE: American Honda Motor Co., 1919 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90501
WHO: Local pediatric brain tumor patients, their parents, local and national organizers of the Ride for Kids event, local doctors and/or medical researchers, and hundreds of participating motorcyclists will be available for interviews at the Celebration of Life closing ceremonies.
For more local information visit www.larideforkids.org, or contact Monique Filips, Media Coordinator Los Angeles Ride for Kids 310-371-2335 or 310-991-7904 cell, monique@filips.org or call the PBTF at 800-253-6530
