Run for the Rose returns to inspire brain cancer patients and unite survivors from across Texas

MD Anderson News Release April 02, 2013

Event honors the legacy of Marnie Rose, M.D.

MD Anderson News Release 04/02/13

Brain cancer will once again meet its match this April as patients, supporters and family members converge for the 11th 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 be held at Reliant Park on Sunday, April 14 at 8 a.m. It supports MD Anderson’s immunotherapy research, 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.

“Due to the ever increasing cost of cancer research, it’s safe to say that never before has support from organizations like the Rose Foundation been so critically important toward advancing our goal of eradicating brain tumors,” said Juan Fueyo, M.D., professor in MD Anderson’s Department of Neuro-Oncology. “Without this support, many projects would be stopped and promising lines of research abandoned.”

“Dr. Marnie Rose touched so many people with her love and care,” said Susan Distefano, Chief Executive Officer of Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital. “It is an honor and privilege to be able to celebrate Dr. Rose’s memory every year with this event and to work closely with our colleagues at MD Anderson on such a worthy cause.”

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.  At the first few races only a few brain tumor survivors would participate.  However, last year more than 80 survivors joined due to medical advances funded in part by the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation.

“Cancer is unrelenting so we’re continuing to focus our efforts on making a difference,” said Lanie Rose. “Because of the generosity of so many Houstonians, and others across the state and nation, we hope to raise more than $500,000 this year which will go a long way to support a cause that’s dear to our hearts.”

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 23,000 new cases of brain cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2013 and more than 14,000 people will die as a result.

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 took our daughter far too soon, but it won’t stop us from doing everything we can to ensure other families don’t face a similar reality,” Rose said. “We’ve approached this event with the same passion and dedication that Marnie brought to bear, and for that, I’m sure she would be very proud.”

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 chip-timed.

Awards will be given to male and female 5K participants who finish first, as well as the top three male and female finishers in specific-age categories.  To be eligible for an award, participants must be chip-timed and registered for the competitive 5K Run.  All children completing the 5K and 1K will receive medals.

Registration for Run for the Rose is $30 per adult for the competitive run, $25 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 by logging onto www.runfortherose.com, or by calling (713) 723-7847.  Runners and walkers will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

04-02-13