Run for the Rose returns, raising funds for clinical research and patient programs

MD Anderson News Release March 14, 2014

Event honors the legacy of Marnie Rose, M.D; supports MD Anderson, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital

MD Anderson News Release 03/14/14  

Beating brain cancer will be the goal this March as thousands converge for the 12th annual Run for the Rose to raise awareness and funds benefiting The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.

The run will begin at Reliant Park on Sunday, March 30 at 8 a.m. The funds it raises will support MD Anderson’s immunotherapy brain cancer research, which includes new drug development and clinical trials for patients with brain cancer, as well as neuroscience research initiatives and the Pediatric Palliative Care Program at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.

“Funding for medical research in today’s environment is becoming increasingly tight, which is why support from organizations like the Rose Foundation is so important,” said Juan Fueyo, M.D., professor in MD Anderson’s Department of Neuro-Oncology.  “The process of developing new therapies is expensive and often innovative research is not supported, so we rely on the generosity of others who share our vision.”
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
“We’re thrilled and privileged to participate in such a wonderful event that, year after year, continues to honor the memory of Dr. Marnie Rose,” said Susan Distefano, chief executive officer of Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital. “In teaming with our colleagues at MD Anderson, if we can make a fraction of the impact on the Houston community that Dr. Rose made, then this year’s run will be very successful.”

Marnie’s parents, Jerry and Lanie, organized the inaugural race in 2003 to honor their daughter’s memory and encourage other patients facing a similar diagnosis.  During the first few years only a handful of brain tumor survivors could participate.  Last year more than 80 survivors were on hand due in part to medical advances supported by the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation.

“It never ceases to amaze us at how generous and supportive people are of our efforts to make a difference,” said Lanie Rose.  “We hope to raise more than $500,000 this year and that’s a testament to our community and urgency we all feel to make progress on this disease.”

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 23,000 people will be diagnosed with brain cancer in the U.S. in 2014 and more than 14,000 people will die as a result.

Marnie Rose was 27 years old and in the first year of her pediatric medical residency when she was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. Despite her diagnosis, she agreed to share her cancer journey, personal life and professional duties as a medical resident with a TV crew from the ABC reality series “Houston Medical” in 2002. Rose died on Aug. 23, 2002 from cancer complications, just five weeks after the show’s final episode aired.

“Brain cancer deprived our daughter of a bright future as it unfortunately does with so many,” Rose said. “We decided it was our responsibility to honor Marnie’s legacy and I think she would be proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”

Run for the Rose is a certified 5K race/walk; other race-day activities include a 1K family run/walk and a post-race party at the Reliant Center for participants. For interested runners, the 5K run will be timed.

Registration for Run for the Rose costs $35 per adult for the competitive run, $35 per adult for the noncompetitive run and walk, $15 for children ages 12 and under for the competitive run, and $12 for children ages 12 and under for the noncompetitive run and walk.

Entry forms for both events are available at www.runfortherose.com. Runners and walkers will receive a commemorative T-shirt.