Voices Against Brain Cancer to Host Annual "Join the Voices! Run/Walk" in Partnership with New York Road Runners

NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Voices Against Brain Cancer, in partnership with New York Road Runners, will host its annual "Join the Voices! Run/Walk" on Sunday, December 2, 2012 in Central Park, New York at 8:15 a.m. The charitable event will feature a five-mile run, a scenic walk, kids races and a fun family festival. American icon Tony Danza will act as the official Master of Ceremonies for the second year in a row.

Participants of the "Join the Voices! Run/Walk" are encouraged to help raise funds for Voices Against Brain Cancer and promote the organization's mission to find a cure for brain cancer and brain tumors by advancing scientific research, increasing awareness within the medical community and supporting patients, their families and caregivers afflicted with this devastating disease.

This year's honorees have been chosen for their continued efforts to help spread brain cancer and brain tumor awareness. The recipient of the Gary Lichtenstein Humanitarian Award is Dr. Andrew Lassman of Columbia University's Medical Center, who is largely involved in the development of new advances in brain tumor and brain cancer research. The recipient of the Vision of Honor Award is Michael Weiner, Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players Association. Mr. Weiner is a powerful advocate for those battling brain cancer – both athletes and non-athletes – as he began treatment for a brain tumor this past August.

Additional award recipients include:

• Courage Award: Daniel Gilligan; Gary Goldberg; Mitchell Kent; Jill Matthews; Scott Spoerl; Janet Stromberg
• Caregiver Award: Amy Reiling, Captain of "Team Lucas"
• Compassionate Care Award: Francine Armentano, NP; Cynthia Harrison, NP; Tina Sapienza, LCSW; Nicole Simmons, RN; Sandra Terzulli, RN; Minerva Utate, MSN
• Youth Ambassador: Kayla Thomas, Captain of  "Captain Mark's Mates"

The annual "Join the Voices! Run/Walk" event pays tribute to Fred Lebow, the founder of the ING New York City Marathon who passed away from brain cancer in 1994, by giving a grant in his honor.Voices Against Brain Cancer was founded in loving memory of Gary Lichtenstein, who lost his valiant battle with brain cancer on October 1, 2003. Since then, the organization has garnered support from other brain cancer patients, brain cancer survivors, their families, caregivers, prestigious doctors and celebrities.

Proceeds from this year's "Join the Voices! Run/Walk"event will go towards the advancement of brain cancer research, as a testament of hope for the people in the world who are diagnosed with brain tumors. To make a donation or participate in the "Join the Voices! Run/Walk," please visit: www.jointhevoices.org.

Individuals interested in supporting Voices Against Brain Cancer through other athletic events can join Voices in Motion.  This extension of the organization was created to encourage individuals to start or join a team for an upcoming event while raising money to support brain cancer research.

For more information please visit: www.voicesinmotion.org.

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

About Voices Against Brain Cancer
Voices Against Brain Cancer's mission is to help find a cure for brain cancer and brain tumors by advancing scientific research, increasing awareness within the medical community and supporting patients, their families and caregivers affected by this devastating disease.

Voices Against Brain Cancer has a wide variety of initiatives in place 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. Currently, these grants are being funded at numerous esteemed institutions including: Columbia, Cornell, Duke, Harvard, John Hopkins, MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Yale and more.

For more information please visit: www.voicesagainstbraincancer.org.

About New York Road Runners
New York Road Runners was founded in 1958 when a small group of passionate runners vowed to bring running to the people. Over the past 54 years, NYRR has grown from a local running club to the world's premier community running organization. NYRR's mission is to empower everyone, of all ages and abilities—beginners and competitive athletes, the young and the elderly, adult professionals and underserved schoolchildren—to improve their health and well-being through the power of running and fitness.

NYRR's races, community events, instruction and training resources, and youth programs give hundreds of thousands of people each year the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to start running and keep running for life. NYRR's premier event, the famed ING New York City Marathon, attracts the world's top pro runners and committed amateurs alike while also raising millions of dollars annually for charity and driving economic impact for the City. But NYRR is equally committed to the runners of tomorrow, passionately providing youth fitness programs that educate and inspire more than 100,000 kids in underserved communities in New York City, all 50 states, and around the world.

Headquartered in New York City, NYRR implements a unique nonprofit model that teams contributed and earned income to make all its efforts possible. To learn more, please visit www.nyrr.org.

SOURCE Voices Against Brain Cancer