The Race

Organizers of The Race and the Miracle Fund are joining forces on the 2012 “The Race” with the common goal of raising money to support breast cancer research at the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and its Miracle Fund, which focuses on new theories, trials and treatments aimed at managing breast cancer and extending lives.

Set for Sunday, May 13th at Legacy Village in Lyndhurst, Ohio, the Race is a one-mile walk/run charity event that empowers children and their families to make a difference in the lives of those touched by breast cancer by raising awareness and money for breast cancer research. Held each Mother’s Day for the past eight years, the family-friendly event attracts approximately 1,500 participants.

“With generous help from friends, business associates and corporate sponsors, to date The Race has raised over $700,000 towards the fight against breast cancer,” said Patti Berns, organizer of The Race. “The Race has identified the Miracle Fund and University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center as this year’s recipients. The Center has made significant strides in breast cancer research.”

The Miracle Fund was created in memory of Diana Hyland of Shaker Heights who sadly lost her battle with the devastating disease of metastatic breast cancer in 2008. Every dollar raised goes towards research at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center which is dedicated to innovative treatment and promising research with the ultimate goal to cure cancer. The almost $2 million raised by the Miracle Fund in just over three years has helped to recruit top talent, including Dr. Lyndsay Harris, an internationally recognized investigator who joins Seidman Cancer Center from Yale University Cancer Center where she was the director of the breast cancer disease unit.

Ned Hyland of Shaker Heights, founder of the Miracle Fund, said, “My wife, Diana, had the vision to create a fund that she knew would not benefit her but would be able to help others afflicted by advanced breast cancer. After three successful years in Cleveland Heights, we’re excited to expand our Miracles Happen Run/Walk and build upon The Race’s success. Diana would be so proud to see how much has been accomplished.”

The mission of The Race is to create a culture of children and young adults who make philanthropic activities and community service part of their daily lives. Race participants will receive t-shirts, and everyone can enjoy refreshments, clowns, bounce house, video gaming, live performance by Club Rock, face painting and more. Prizes will be given away throughout the morning. A prize will also be awarded to the team and the school with the greatest participation. Pledge forms can be downloaded from The Race website.

Monica Robins, Senior Health Correspondent/Anchor of WKYC TV 3, will serve as Honorary Chair, and The Race co-chairs are: Jonathan and Patti Berns of Hunting Valley, Jane Bacon of Shaker Heights and Kathleen Stefanski of South Euclid. The Berns’ children, Josh and Danielle Berns, co-founded The Race in 2004 when they were 12 and 10 after witnessing how breast cancer affected the whole family of those fighting the devastating disease.

Registration starts at 8 a.m., the One-Mile Run starts at 9:00 a.m., and the One-Mile Walk starts at 9:20 a.m.

The entry fee is $15 in advance and the day of the event. Pre-registration is encouraged. For more information about The Race, visit www.dotherace.com, email info@dotherace.com or call 866.540.RACE (7223).

Follow the Miracle Fund on Twitter at www.twitter.com/miraclefund and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/miraclefund.