Contact: Cindy Starr
(513) 558-3505
[email protected]
The 2011 Walk Ahead for a Brain Tumor Cure attracted 1,667 participants and raised $175,144, organizers have announced. The donations bring the 2-year-old event’s cumulative fundraising total to more than $303,000. Proceeds benefit research and education at the Brain Tumor Center at the University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute.
“The importance of this event to our community cannot be overestimated,” said Ronald Warnick, MD, medical director of the UC Brain Tumor Center and chairman of the Mayfield Clinic. “All funds raised remain in Cincinnati, where they will enable us to enhance patient care through education and to explore promising new therapies through clinical trials.”
Chris Knueven and Wally Pagan, both brain tumor survivors, co-chaired the 2010 and 2011 events. They pass the baton to survivor Brian Wiles and his brother, Joe Wiles, who will chair the 2012 Walk Ahead.
The 2012 Walk Ahead date, the Wiles brothers announced, is set for Sunday, Oct. 28.
“In our first duty as co-chairs, we would like to thank all the walkers, runners, volunteers, sponsors and donors who supported Walk Ahead this year and to invite them to join us again next year,” Brian Wiles said.
“We aim to continue the momentum we have acquired so rapidly while continuing to produce a first-class 5k walk/run that is affordable, enjoyable and memorable for survivors, patients and families,” Joe Wiles added.
Messrs. Knueven and Pagan thanked the 2011 platinum sponsor, Interim Healthcare. Other major sponsors included the Fund Evaluation Group, The Carol Ann and Ralph V Haile, Jr. / US Bank Foundation, Brower Insurance Agency, Miller Valentine Group, Merck, dunnhumby USA, Louis Trauth Dairy, PNC Bank, Monster energy drinks, the Joseph Auto Group and Precision Radiotherapy.
Clear Channel radio stations, including 700 WLW, Fox Sports 1360, WEBN, Kiss 107 and 55KRC, provided media support. Darrell “Doc” Rodgers, 700WLW radio personality and a courageous brain tumor survivor, served as emcee. Daphne Photo Studio contributed beautiful photography.
Entertainment was generously provided by three volunteer bands: Some Assembly Required, Northside Garage and Noteworthy.
The 5k chip-timed run and walk began and finished at Yeatman’s Cove at Sawyer Point Park and included a stroll across the Purple People Bridge. Paul Markus finished first overall with a time of 18:05.2. Christi-Anne Beatty was first among females at 22:49.4.
The walk was part of Beacon of Hope Weekend, which also featured the 2011 Midwest Regional Brain Tumor Patient Symposium.
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About the UC Neuroscience Institute
The UC Neuroscience Institute, a regional center of excellence, is dedicated to patient care, research, education, and the development of new treatments for stroke, brain and spinal tumors, epilepsy, traumatic brain and spinal injury, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, memory disorders, mood disorders, neuromuscular disorders, and disorders of the senses (swallowing, voice, hearing, pain, taste and smell).
About UC Health
UC Health includes University Hospital, ranked the best hospital in the region by US News and World Report; West Chester Hospital, Cincinnati’s newest hospital; Drake Center, Cincinnati’s premier provider of long-term acute care; UC Physicians, Cincinnati’s largest specialty practice group with 650 board-certified clinicians and surgeons; the Lindner Center of HOPE, the region’s premier mental health center, and the UC Cancer Institute, the UC Cardiovascular Institute, the UC Neuroscience Institute and the UC Diabetes and Endocrinology Institute. To learn more, visit UCHealth.com.
