Motorcyclists Hit the Road on Behalf of Afflicted Kids : Medicine: Riders raise money that will be used in efforts against pediatric brain tumors, among the most fatal of children’s ailments in the U.S.

Undaunted by a morning rain, hundreds of motorcyclists turned out Sunday for the “Ride for Kids,” a nationwide effort to raise money for research on pediatric brain tumors, one of the most fatal ailments for children in the United States.

Donations from the local ride are targeted for the University of Southern California Brain Tumor Research Program and the new National Brain Tumor Registry. The registry is the first of its kind in the nation to collect vital patient and disease information.

Among those participating in the local ride were members of the Gold Wing Road Riders and Christian Motorcycle Assn.

Ten similar fund-raising events around the country are expected to raise a total of $500,000 to fight the tumors.

Among those on hand to support the riders Sunday was 6-year-old Mary Romansky, accompanied by her mother, Jeanne. Mary recovered from a brain tumor with the help of funding provided by the program.

“We’re delighted to be able to launch our national effort in Southern California,” said Mike Traynor, founder of the Ride for Kids, which is sponsored by Honda and the Brain Tumor Research Foundation.

“Through the support of the motorcycling community, we’re working to conquer this serious childhood disease,” he said.

The ride began at the Old Dana Point Cafe at 9 a.m. and proceeded south along Coast Highway to the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

All of the money raised will go directly for research, ride organizers said. Participating riders contributed a minimum of $35.

Since 1984, Ride for Kids events have raised $1 million nationwide for pediatric brain tumor research.