I was raised in a house full of Teamsters. I ride a Harley. My husband and I started a motorcycle association promoting unions and unionism, with the mission to ride our motorcycles and raise money for people and organizations in need.
The Pediatric Brain Tumor Ride, aka “Ride for Kids,” is a charitable motorcycle ride raising money for the research and prevention of brain tumors in children. Pittsburgh Technical College became a part of the Ride for Kids approximately six years ago. I am on the organization’s task force, and have seen first-hand the impact our event has on the children and families of those with brain tumors. The Ride focuses on “The STARS,” the children who are surviving with brain tumors, and how they navigate everyday life.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is part of everyday living for those with pediatric brain tumors. They are often pre-judged and treated with an implicit bias pertaining to their brain tumor stories. When a child is diagnosed with a brain tumor, not only is his family faced with negotiating medical issues, they need to help others understand that this very special child does not want or need to be treated differently. The goal of the Ride for Kids is to let these children know they are loved and cared about. They get to ride in the trikes and side cars of all these cool motorcycles and experience some normal, everyday fun.
I appreciate all that PTC has done, and continues to do, to support the Ride for Kids. Our chefs prepare food, our Accounting students run registration, and our Multimedia – Video Production students capture all of the special moments for the children and their families. The entire event has such a positive impact on everyone involved. It’s really part of the PTC Magic!
Colleen Maxwell
Education – Scheduler
