Each year, “The Race” attracts thousands of participants to Legacy Village in Lyndhurst, OH on Mother’s Day, empowering children and families to make a difference in the lives of those touched by breast cancer by raising money and awareness for research and early detection. Originated in 2004 by Joshua and Danielle Berns, then 13 and 11 years old, respectively, the family-focused event is a tradition kept alive today by their parents, Jonathan and Patti Berns.
In 2019, “The Race” selected the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC) as the beneficiary of 100 percent of participant registration fees and donations as the event’s operating costs are covered by private donors. As a result of the event, the Case CCC received $70,000 in support of innovative breast cancer research. Jonathan and Patti Berns recently visited the Case CCC to present the funds to Director Stan Gerson, MD. Case CCC investigators are consistently working toward finding cancer cures, and thanks to “The Race” they will be supported through availability of new pilot grant awards. This year’s Race will take place on Sunday, May 10, 2020 and once again benefit the research efforts of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The Case CCC is the coordinating body for all major cancer research activities across Northeast Ohio and one of 51 National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the country. The center combines the talent and commitment of 400 physicians and scientists at Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic, and supports the efforts to develop treatments and cures for cancers of all types, including clinical trials. By pooling resources, the center dramatically increases its chances of success on behalf of patients and their families. Pilot funding allows world-class physicians and scientists to strategically pursue promising developments in real-time. Investments like these help lay the groundwork necessary to secure additional support from federal and foundation sources with a return on investment of ten to one.