Voices Against Brain Cancer Continues The Fight For A Cure In Chicago With Its 3rd Annual "Join The Voices!" Run/Walk

CHICAGO, April 30, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Voices Against Brain Cancer, a national non-profit organization committed to finding a cure for brain cancer and brain tumors, is set to host its 3^rd Annual "Join the Voices! Chicago Run/Walk" on Sunday, May 17^th at Diversey Harbor in Lincoln Park. The charitable event will feature a 5K run, 3K scenic walk, family activities and live entertainment. Funds raised will go towards the advancement of brain cancer research, and all donations will be earmarked for the Chicago area and the state of Illinois.

Voices Against Brain Cancer hosts Run/Walks across the nation in hopes to support the brain cancer community, create greater national awareness, and ultimately find a cure. During the Chicago event, the Foundation will be honoring many local patients, caregivers, doctors and healthcare providers for their roles in the fight against this devastating disease.

Having been personally touched by a loved one's diagnosis, Illinois residents Dan and Meg Kresach, along with The Chiappetta Family and Scott Conine, have been chosen as the Event Committee Co-Chairs. Since Olivia Kresach's diagnosis in 2013 and passing in 2014 at age 22, her parents have been active in fighting for a cure for brain cancer in her honor. This year, the Kresach family is determined to raise $100,000 in support of VABC.

Voices Against Brain Cancer, leaders in the brain cancer community, has secured several major sponsors for the event, who are dedicated to supporting the brain cancer community, which include: ADP, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Core Yoga, the Harry M. & Gertrude Y. Schwartz Foundation, Jeffrey LaMorte Salon / Day Spa, Melody Mart, The Northernwestern Brain Tumor Institute, Novocure, the Olivia Kresach Foundation, Paul Klein Travel, Rise Interactive, Rush University and Wex. 

The recipient of this year's Gary Lichtenstein Humanitarian Award is Jeffrey J. Raizer, MD, Northwestern University, and the recipient of this year's Olivia Kresach Medal of Excellence Award is Lorenzo F. Munoz, MD, Rush University.

Additional award recipients include:

• Courage Award: Jennifer Hamrick, Shelby Lerner, Robert Lindell, Madelynn McInerney, Jennifer Valdez, Mike Werner, and Kevin Yndestad
• Courage Award Presenter: Grace Oliver 
• Caregiver Award Recipient: Wayne Snider
• Compassionate Care Award: Inna Kann, Lynnette Onuselogu, and Margaret Yesko  
• Youth Ambassador Award: Sofia Evanoff

"Chicago is close to our heart at VABC", says Mario Lichtenstein, founder of Voices Against Brain Cancer. "It is the city where Gary lived and also one of the first cities we launched our Join The Voices! Initiatives. We look forward to continue growing the powerful and inspirational VOICES community in the Chicago area. Brain cancer is a silent killer. We need to use our VOICE and be heard"

Voices Against Brain Cancer was founded in loving memory of Gary Lichtenstein (former Chicago resident), who lost his valiant battle with brain cancer on October 1, 2003. Since then, the organization has garnered support from other patients, survivors, their families, caregivers, prestigious doctors and celebrities, all united in their drive towards finding a cure for this devastating disease.  When asked what inspired him to organize VABC's national run/walks, Mario Lichtenstein noted, "I couldn't save the life of my son, but perhaps I can save the life of others."

Participants of "Join the Voices! Chicago Run/Walk" are encouraged to raise funds for Voices Against Brain Cancer. To make a donation, volunteer or participate in the upcoming Run/Walk please visit: www.jointhevoiceschicago.org.  Check-in and registration begins at 8:00am, with start times beginning at 9:00am.

For press inquiries, please contact: 5W Public Relations.

About Voices Against Brain Cancer

Voices Against Brain Cancer's (VABC) mission is to find a cure for brain cancer and brain tumors by advancing scientific research, increasing awareness, creating a brain cancer and tumor community, and supporting patients, their families and caregivers afflicted with this devastating disease.

Voices Against Brain Cancer was started in loving memory of Gary Lichtenstein who at 24 years old lost his battle with brain cancer on October 1, 2003. Gary was living in Chicago and working as an options trader at Wolverine Trading when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor in March of 2003. After three months of radiation, Gary slipped into a coma from which he did not recover. Soon after his passing, Gary's family started Voices Against Brain Cancer to raise money and awareness for the fight against this devastating disease.

"I couldn't save the life of my son, but perhaps I can save the life of others." 
-Mario Lichtenstein, Founder Of VABC

VABC has a wide variety of initiatives in motion for brain cancer research, awareness and support. The organization's research grants fund cutting-edge programs that will have a monumental impact on the diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer and brain tumors. Currently, these grants are being funded at numerous esteemed institutions including: Baylor University, Boston Children's Hospital / Harvard, Brain Tumor Biotech Center / Feinstein Institute / North Shore LIJ Health System, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Central Brain Tumor Registry Of The United States, Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia,  Cleveland Clinic, Columbia, Cornell, Dana Farber / Harvard, Duke, The Feinstein Institute / North Shore LIJ Health System, Harvard, Hofstra / North Shore LIJ School Of Medicine, Johns Hopkins, Lenox Hill Hospital / North Shore LIJ Health System, Long Island Brain Tumor Center, NY, Lurie Children's Hospital / Northwestern, Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard, MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York University, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, Rush University, Stony Brook University, University Of California Davis, University Of California Irvine, University Of California Los Angeles, University Of California San Diego, University Of California San Francisco, University Of Chicago, University Of Michigan, University Of Pittsburgh, University Of Texas San Antonio, University Of Virginia, Vanderbilt University, Wake Forest, Washington University, Yale and more.

VABC extends throughout the international community and funds research in countries such as Australia, Canada, Israel, Spain and more. As part of the Foundation's commitment to "leave no stone unturned" in the search for a cure, VABC supports Cannabis Research and the exploration of the potential risks associated with Mobile Phone Radiation.

VABC continues to hold events across the country in locations such as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Connecticut, Dallas, Las Vegas, Long Island-New York, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey, New Orleans, New York City, New York City Half Marathon, New York City Marathon, North Carolina, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle, Virginia and Washington, DC.

"We've Lost Great Minds To Brain Cancer. Use Yours To Help Us Find The Cure Today."
-Mario Lichtenstein, Founder Of VABC

Connect with VOICES: www.Facebook.com/VoicesAgainstBrainCancer
Visit VOICES: www.VoicesAgainstBrainCancer.org

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SOURCE Voices Against Brain Cancer