Denver City Council President Albus Brooks to Serve as Chair for the Inaugural RTCS Denver
— 5K Event to Raise Awareness and Funds for Sarcoma Research —
DAMASCUS, Md. – August 19, 2016— Sarcoma survivor and Denver City Council President Albus Brooks will serve as the Chairperson of the inaugural Race to Cure Sarcoma Denver. The charity 5K run/walk will benefit the Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) and the University of Colorado Cancer Center.
Brooks was diagnosed in July with Chondrosarcoma, a subtype of sarcoma. Sarcoma is a rare cancer of bone and soft tissue. It is rather rare in adults, comprising only 1 percent of all adult cancers, but accounts for 15 percent of childhood cancers. At any one time, 50,000 patients and their families are struggling with sarcoma. Every year, nearly 15,000 new cases are diagnosed and about 6,000 people die from the disease.
A 15-pound tumor was removed from Brooks during an eight hour surgery performed at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Brooks has praised the remarkable care that he received from his team of doctors, including Victor Villalobos, MD, PhD, a sarcoma specialist. Thanks to his treatment and the expertise of his physicians, Brooks is now cancer-free.
Even as Brooks continues to heal, he has returned to work and has taken on the additional challenge of raising awareness and research funds for sarcoma. In his role as the Chairperson for the Race to Cure Sarcoma Denver, set to take place on September 17, 2016, Brooks will bring attention to this little known cancer and will work to raise funds for innovative sarcoma research. He will serve as the kick off speaker for the event before heading out on the race course.
“I’m thankful that my amazing Denver community surrounded me during my time of need this summer dealing with my diagnosis of Chondrosarcoma. Now that I’m cancer-free, I’m passionate about bringing awareness to this rare disease and finding a cure,” said Albus. “I am also grateful to the Sarcoma Foundation of American for bringing the Race to Cure Sarcoma to the Mile High City.”
“The Sarcoma Foundation of America is honored to have Councilman Albus Brooks serve as the Chairperson for our first event in Colorado, the Race to Cure Sarcoma Denver,” said SFA Chief Executive Officer Bert E. Thomas IV, PhD, MBA. “We continue to be inspired by his positive outlook and his passion to help others in the sarcoma community, even has he continues his own recovery from this disease. We have no doubt that he will encourage other sarcoma patients and will help to educate the public about the needs for those with this rare cancer.”
Funds from the Race to Cure Sarcoma will help to fund sarcoma research both nationally, through the SFA, and locally through the efforts at the CU Cancer Center.
Race to Cure Sarcoma Denver
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Cherry Creek Dam Road, Greenwood Village
Registration and packet pick up opens 8:00 a.m.
Race Starts 9 a.m.
http://support.curesarcoma.org/denver
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About the Sarcoma Foundation of America
The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, is an advocate for increased research to find new and better therapies with which to treat patients with sarcoma. The organization raises money to privately fund grants for sarcoma researchers and conducts education and advocacy efforts on behalf of sarcoma patients. Sarcoma Foundation of America is a 4-star charity with Charity Navigator. For more information, please visit www.curesarcoma.org.
Contact Information
Lori Hoffman
(301) 253-8687