The OSUCCC – James Community Partners Program consists of corporations, individuals and community groups who raise funds in support of our vision to create a cancer-free world. From corporate initiatives to local events, our more than 400 Community Partners bring in significant dollars to further research, education and patient care at the OSUCCC – James. To learn more, please contact The James Development Office at 614-685-5967 or communitypartnerevents@osumc.edu, or visit go.osu.edu/JamesCommunityPartners.
On June 9, Bexley High School hosted the 8th Annual Jack Roth 5K Rock & Run. This annual 5K & 1 mile run/walk benefits the Jack Roth Memorial Fund for Lung Cancer Research and other lung cancer research efforts at the OSUCCC – James. This year the event raised $60,000. As honorary race commander, Michael A. Caligiuri, MD, Director and CEO of the OSUCCC – James, says, “We are so grateful for the commitment and support of the 2013 Jack Roth Rock & Run. At The James, we are dedicated to creating a cancer-free world, and as one of the beneficiaries of the run, we are able to further our lung cancer research in honor of Jack and the many other patients like him.” For more information, visit jackrothfund.org.
July 19 marked the 9th annual Mary Diaz & William Copeland Jr. Memorial Tennis Tournament to support the Mary Diaz Fund for Pancreatic Cancer Research at the OSUCCC – James. This year’s event raised more than $42,000 in celebration of the memories of Mary Diaz and William Copeland. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $360,000 to support funding for pancreatic cancer research efforts. Please visit www.diaztennis.org for information on the 2014 tournament.
On Aug. 17, Kirk and Lyndsey Vidra organized the 4th annual War Against Melanoma (WAM) Golf Outing for the WAM Foundation Fund for Melanoma Research at the OSUCCC – James. The outing was held at Bent Tree Golf Course in Sunbury, Ohio, and was followed by a dinner that raised more than $9,000. Brutus Buckeye entertained kids and adults to get everyone excited about the Buckeyes and fighting skin cancer! Kirk, a stage-four melanoma survivor, said he was incredibly thankful for his care at The James, and this event is his way of giving back. WAM’s total fundraising efforts for this year raised $27,500, bringing their cumulative four-year giving to $100,000. For more information, visit www.thewamfoundation.org.
The 26th annual Dennis Clark Cancer Research Classic was held on Sept. 10. For the first time, the event was hosted at the Wedgewood Golf and Country Club in Powell, Ohio. Formed in 1987 in honor of Dennis E. Clark, a past-president of the Columbus Chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, the event has raised more than $500,000 for the Dennis E. Clark Chair in Surgical Oncology Research at the OSUCCC – James. William (Bill) Clark said the event to honor his father has been a great way to give back for all that the OSUCCC – James has done for his family. “We hope to continue our tradition of giving toward the fight to stop cancer through the classic,” Bill shared.
The 3rd annual Runway to Awearness fashion show, sponsored by Leal Boutique in Upper Arlington, was held on Sept. 20. The show has raised more than $100,000 in just three years to support the Patricia D. Dinunzio Ovarian Cancer Endowment Fund at the OSUCCC – James. Boutique owner Connie Ballenger started this event after DiNunzio was diagnosed to raise money for bags given to gynecologic cancer patients that include items to help them tolerate their chemotherapy treatments. Items include lip balm, nausea medicine, diet and exercise tips, and information about wigs and head wraps. All the models in the show are ovarian cancer survivors or those who have been touched by ovarian cancer. For more information, visit www.patdinunzio.org.
On Aug. 24, the third annual Rock and Roll Over Brain Cancer event raised money for the Roc On! Neuro-Oncology Fund at the OSUCCC – James. The event, held in Dublin, Ohio, at the Bogey Inn Bar and Grill to benefit brain cancer research, welcomed 400 guests to a full concert lineup including Grey Matter, JessiJam, Reganomics and Sweet Rock Candy. Event organizer Mary Kay Fenlon’s neuro-oncologist, Herbert Newton, MD, a professor in the Division of NeuroOncology at Ohio State, performed with his band Grey Matter. “I believe strongly in finding a cure for brain cancer through research,” Fenlon said. “The Rock and Roll Over Brain Cancer event brings survivors, current patients, family members and friends together to listen to great rock and roll music which, for a few hours, heals our hearts.”