Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute Named Sponsor and Charity of Chicago Half Marathon

CHICAGO, April 7, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Adam Crothers is a runner. He started running as a kid and eventually ran his way right into DePaul University, where he competed as a sprinter and jumper.

Then about a year ago, Crothers got some news that changed his life. After trying to get relief from what was thought to be a persistent sinus infection, Crothers had a MRI and was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive kind of brain tumor. These tumors grow rapidly and despite surgical removal, radiation and chemotherapy, they recur in the majority of patients.

"It was a punch in the gut," said Crothers, who is 35 years old. "I've always been in good physical shape, always felt great. Then all the sudden I go from thinking I have a sinus infection to brain cancer. I went through some tough times. Then one day, I woke up and decided I was done feeling sorry for myself. I decided to turn things around. I started running again."

On May 18 Crothers will join thousands – including his own physician – at the Chicago Spring Half Marathon/10 K, which will wind through the city's historic museum campus. The Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute (NBTI) is the official charity and sponsor of the sold-out race. The NBTI is collaboration between Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the Robert. H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

"Every day I help care for patients who are facing the biggest challenge of their lives," said Jeffrey Raizer, MD, Crothers' physician, co-director of the NBTI and the medical director of neuro-oncology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. "The race raises money to help patients who are living with brain tumors and it supports key research initiatives, which one day may change how brain tumors are treated forever. I want to be able to offer patients like Adam hope for better outcomes, a better quality of life, and, someday, possibly a cure."

The race takes place during Brain Tumor Awareness month and aims not only to raise funds for NBTI but to also educate the public about brain tumors and honor patients and their caregivers. Raizer and James Chandler, MD, co-director of the NBTI and surgical director of neuro-oncology at Northwestern Memorial, will be among those running on May 18. In years past, NBTI physicians, nurses and staff have actively participated in the race and fundraising.  

"I look forward to this race every year because it's an opportunity for the NBTI team to honor the bravery and strength of our patients and their families," Chandler said. "It never ceases to amaze me the courage that our patients exhibit while battling brain tumors. It's often a long and tiring fight for these families, but our patients are some of the toughest people I know. It's an honor to run alongside many of them and in honor of so many others."

Crothers is just one of those brave patients. Even after undergoing brain surgery and while battling this aggressive brain cancer, he still runs and works as a trainer at Lifetime Fitness. He runs to forget about the chemo and treatments. And he feels better.

"Physical fitness keeps me mentally strong," said Crothers, who lives in Westmont and attended Oak Forest High School. "Everyone needs that one thing that keeps them grounded and focused. For me, it has always been running."

The NBTI is a comprehensive program that 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.

While both the Chicago Spring half marathon and 10K entries are sold out, the NBTI is still accepting donations by clicking here or by calling 312-926-4199. Runners who are already registered for the race may also launch a fundraising team or page. After the race, all are welcome to stop by the Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute tent for refreshments and to meet NBTI doctors and staff.

Please contact Jacqueline Evans at [email protected] or 312-926-4199 with fundraising questions or visit http://nmh.convio.net/NBTIHalf2014

About Northwestern Medicine®
Northwestern Medicine® is the collaboration between Northwestern Memorial HealthCare and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine around a strategic vision to transform the future of healthcare.  It encompasses the research, teaching and patient care activities of the academic medical center. Sharing a commitment to superior quality, academic excellence and patient safety, the organizations within Northwestern Medicine comprise more than 9,000 clinical and administrative staff, 3,100 medical and science faculty and 700 students. The entities involved in Northwestern Medicine remain separate organizations. Northwestern Medicine is a trademark of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare and is used by Northwestern University.

About Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Northwestern Memorial is one of the country's premier academic medical center hospitals and is the primary teaching hospital of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Along with its Prentice Women's Hospital and Stone Institute of Psychiatry, the hospital has 1,705 affiliated physicians and 6,769 employees.  Northwestern Memorial is recognized for providing exemplary patient care and state-of-the art advancements in the areas of cardiovascular care; women's health; oncology; neurology and neurosurgery; solid organ and soft tissue transplants and orthopaedics.

Northwestern Memorial has nursing Magnet Status, the nation's highest recognition for patient care and nursing excellence. Northwestern Memorial ranks 6^th in the nation in the U.S. News & World Report 2013-14 Honor Roll of America's Best Hospitals. The hospital is recognized in 14 of 16 clinical specialties rated by U.S. News and is No. 1 in Illinois and Chicago in U.S. News' 2013-14 state and metro rankings, respectively. For 14 years running, Northwestern Memorial has been rated among the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" guide by Working Mother magazine. The hospital is a recipient of the prestigious National Quality Health Care Award and has been chosen by Chicagoans as the Consumer Choice according to the National Research Corporation's annual survey for 15 consecutive years. 

About the Lurie Cancer Center
The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University is dedicated to scientific discovery, advancing medical knowledge, providing compassionate, state-of-the-art cancer care, and training the next generation of clinicians and scientists. Outstanding basic, translational, and clinical research complements a full range of prevention, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care programs for all types of cancer.

One of only two National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in Illinois, the Lurie Cancer Center is a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), an alliance of 25 of the world's leading cancer centers dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of cancer care, and of the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium. Learn more about the Lurie Cancer Center at cancer.northwestern.edu.

SOURCE Northwestern Medicine