The OSUCCC – James Community Partners Program consists of corporations, individuals and community groups that 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. To learn more, please contact The James Development Office at 614-293-2120 or communitypartnerevents@osumc.edu, or visit go.osu.edu/JamesCommunityPartners.
Joan Andrews Hays “Help Cure Bile Duct Cancer”
Benefiting the Joan Andrews Hays Bile Duct Cancer Research Fund – Raised over $16,000
The Joan Andrews Hays Foundation held its third annual event to take a grand slam at bile duct cancer, with the Help Cure Bile Duct Cancer Tennis Fundraiser on Sept. 10 at Worthington Hills Country Club. Guests participated in tennis drills with the pros, played pickleball and ran drills with the Ohio State women’s tennis team. Attendees enjoyed musical acts by Blue Cats, and Brutus Buckeye dropped by for a surprise visit. Sameek Roychowdhury, MD, PhD, spoke about the importance of community support, research, clinical trials and treatment for cholangiocarcinoma — bile duct cancer.
Joan Andrews Hays died of bile duct cancer at the age of 60. Joan was full of life and brought a smile to those who crossed her path. She was an avid tennis player, so it was only fitting that this tennis event was formed in her name. Marie Andrews, Joan’s mother, created the Joan Andrews Hays Bile Duct Cancer Research Fund at the OSUCCC – James.
To date, the foundation’s activities have raised over $100,000 for the fund.
Papa John’s Charity Challenge
Benefiting the Urban and Shelley Meyer Fund for Cancer Research – Raised more than $70,000
The inaugural Papa John’s Charity Challenge, presented by Byers Imports, was held on Aug. 28 at the Medallion Club. The day kicked off with lunch on the plaza, followed by a program featuring an update from the OSUCCC – James, the Papa John’s Goal Patrol James Unity Event and the national anthem, sung by the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Leo Welsh. Honorary Survivor Jamie Fichner sent golfers off to the course for an 18-hole golf scramble.
Golfers enjoyed dinner and a live auction with Cameron Fontana of ABC6/Fox28 as the auctioneer. Papa John’s Charity Challenge co-founders Charles Burris and Mike Zimmer shared remarks.
A Christmas to Cure Cancer
Benefiting the Heather Pick Music Program – Raised more than $90,000
The 16th annual A Christmas to Cure Cancer was held on Dec. 1 at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Guests enjoyed a festive evening of live entertainment, delicious food catered by Smith & Wollensky, a silent and live auction and the holiday lights at the Columbus Zoo.
A Christmas to Cure Cancer was founded by Mark Puskarich. The evening was hosted by WBNS-10TV’s Angela An.
Beat Michigan! Beat Cancer! 5K and Fun Run
Benefiting the Ovarian Cancer Research and Education in Gynecology Fund – Raised over $31,000
The first Beat Michigan! Beat Cancer! 5K and Fun Run benefiting ovarian cancer research was organized in 2009 by Barrington Elementary School fourth graders Molly O’Connor and Dante Landolfi. Molly’s mother and Dante’s grandmother died of ovarian cancer, and the two students wanted to raise funds and awareness for research. With the support of their two elementary classes, they brought together nearly 900 runners and raised approximately $23,000 for ovarian cancer research at the OSUCCC – James.
Molly and Dante — now seniors at Upper Arlington High School — brought the race back this year for their Senior Capstone project with the help of current fourth graders at Barrington Elementary School, who served on the 5K committee. Students hosted ovarian cancer educational workshops, secured race sponsors and donations, and made items — such as teal buckeye necklaces — to sell at the race.
The 2017 Beat Michigan! Beat Cancer! 5K was held on Nov. 4, 2017, at the Jones Middle School track. A pep rally to kick off the 5K featured David Cohn, MD, professor and director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Ohio State and director of medical affairs at the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.