The 2012 Indy Ride for Kids will take place in two days on September 9th. We have six STAR families that will be attending the ride to help us raise money for pediatric brain tumor research. Many of you know me personally and you know that we got involved with this ride in 2011 during my then 8 year old daughter Brianna’s illness. We attended the ride last year as a STAR family and had an excellent experience. After the ride I was approached by Mark Muhlenfeld, a Regional Ride Manager who oversees about seven rides, of which Indianapolis is one. He asked me if I had any interest in taking over as the Indianapolis Task Force Leader (TFL) as the current TFL was wanting to step back. After some discussion with my family and friends who pledged their support, I accepted.
So, we have worked on this ride for the past year and now we are down to crunch time. There is nothing more that I can do to insure the success of the ride. Sunday morning will tell the story but in the meantime I feel anxious. I want this ride to be successful because so many children and their families are hoping and praying that a cure for their child’s brain tumor will be found. That is what this ride is for, to raise dollars to fund research. The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, the mothership of Ride for Kids, is the largest non-governmental funding source of pediatric brain tumor research in the world. I hope and pray that we raise alot of money. I hope and pray that we provide a few hours for the families to smile and forget about all the pain and fear that they feel. And I pray that we honor those who have left us.
Brianna Nicole McQueen, known to many as Princess, will be in our hearts. We will honor my daughter as we go about the day. Brianna found her angel wings on March 21, 2012 becoming one of too many children lost to a brain tumor. We have to stop this. Please click here and find the nearest ride to you and participate. If you are in Indy we hope to see you Sunday morning!