Magellan Development Spring Half Marathon to Benefit Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute

The Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute (NBTI) is the official charity of the 2011 Magellan Development Chicago Spring Half Marathon, 10K and Junior Dash. The race will take place Sunday, May 15, at 7 a.m., in The Park at Lakeshore East, located just north of Millennium Park at Field Drive and Randolph Street. Funds raised will benefit NBTI programs and brain tumor research.

NBTI is a comprehensive program which merges clinical research with medical and surgical treatment for brain and spinal tumor patients. The Institute offers state-of-the-art clinical care while also providing the resources and support necessary for patients and their families to meet the challenges of living with a brain tumor. The institute is a collaboration between Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the Robert. H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. 

“May is National Brain Tumor Awareness Month and we want to help increase awareness of brain cancer and continue to raise funds in support of life-saving research and clinical trials that can lead to better treatment and ultimately a cure” said Robin Loewenberg Berger, Chief Marketing Officer of Magellan Development, co-chair of the event.  

This is the second year that Magellan Development has supported NBTI. The company chose to support the Institute after Louis Berger, the late husband of Loewenberg Berger, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Funds from this year’s race will benefit NBTI and the Louis A. Berger Memorial Fund to advance brain tumor research. The weekend kicks off with a VIP auction and pre-race dinner on Saturday May 14 at Aqua and continues with a race-day experience on Sunday, May 15.

“We are extremely grateful for the support of Magellan and the race organizers who are shining a spotlight on our cause,” said James Chandler, MD, surgical director of neuro-oncology and co-director of the Institute. “Support from the community is vital in helping increase brain cancer awareness and to raise funds which support the life-saving research that helps us find better treatment options and ultimately, a cure.”

VIP sponsorship opportunities are available including tickets to the Run in Style VIP Sponsor Dinner with food creations from The Palm, live entertainment and auction on Saturday, May 14, from 7 to 10 p.m. Opportunities also include entries to the Magellan Spring Half Marathon and 10K on Sunday, May 15, as well as admission to the pre-race festivities and other great VIP experiences. The event will be hosted by ABC-7 anchor Kathy Brock and Chicago Sun-Times and FOX Chicago entertainment reporter Bill Zwecker.

NBTI physicians, nurses and other staff will be amongst the runners participating in the Magellan Development race. “It’s a wonderful experience to join hundreds of other runners in raising awareness and funds for brain tumor research and care,” said Jeffrey Raizer, MD, medical director of neuro-oncology and co-director of the Institute, who is captain of Team Fund-Raizer. “Each day, I see determination and strength in my patients, which inspires me as I train and run this race. It’s thrilling to have a community partner like Magellan Development that is so supportive and committed to our cause.”

Runners are able to dedicate their race experience to the fight against brain cancer. They can register online, start their own teams to raise money and encourage friends and family members to contribute to the cause. Registration for the race is available at www.chicagospringhalf.com. To learn more about VIP Sponsor Packages and how to create, join or support a fundraising team, visit www.braintumorinstitute.org. 

For information about the Northwestern Memorial Foundation, visit http://www.nmh.org/nm/nmfoundation.