The third 5K run/walk to benefit the Brain Tumor Society is scheduled for Sunday, April 16, 2000. The way this came together is a tale of volunteerism, dedication, imagination and sheer energy by a small group tied together by a single goal--the elimination of dreaded brain tumors. What is remarkable about this is that it is not remarkable at all.

"Racing for cures" has become a commonplace technique for attention getting and fund raising. The goal is to support research and to discover cures. But an underlying motive is to increase public awareness of a particular infirmity or disease and achieve status as a "politically correct" thing for Congress to support in making appropriations to the National Institutes of Health and other national medical and related programs. This, unfortunately, is a competitive game and takes people power.

Americans laud volunteerism. Here it is at its worst and best. The attack on disease is largely the task of volunteers, most of whom have an illness or are involved with someone who does. There is something bizarre about expecting the survivors and victims of disaster to gather the energy and strength to fight the ravages they have suffered so that others may be spared.

The first "There is Hope" 5K Run/Walk to benefit The Brain Tumor Society took place in April 1998 at West Potomac Park in Washington, DC. Through the efforts of a planning group of less than a dozen people and the professional assistance of Capital Running Company, more than 1000 runners signed up and net proceeds of $65,000 were donated to The Brain Tumor Society for medical research and victim services. The second annual race in April 1999 drew about 1800 runners and raised more than $120,000. We are now gearing up for the third race. Death has claimed some original planners and others have joined the effort.

What does it take to successfully launch such an enterprise?

1. People. The parents of a teen-age brain tumor victim lead our parent organization, The Brain Tumor Society. They are trying to fill the void of research dollars which can no longer save their son. One of their son's friends, now a professional financial planner, is a leader of our Washington area group. The co-chair is a young mother, whose sister conceived the idea of the run, attended the first race in a wheel chair, and succumbed to her brain tumor shortly thereafter. A painting contractor and his wife lost a daughter after a widespread but fruitless search for a cure and now devote all of their spare time to our group and to assisting others similarly situated. Brain tumor survivors among us inspire our work. Others serve in memory of children, parents, and siblings. We are a band of strangers brought together by sorrow and fear and a feeling of deep obligation to those facing this mysterious and dread disease.

Our meetings are spent directly on planning for the run, developing brochures, planning publicity, securing funds and gifts, organizing the volunteers to work at the run, and making sure of enough water and food (and t-shirts) for race participants. We are too small a group to organize a bureaucracy. Each person does what he or she feels competent to do. Capital Running Company advises us and assures the availability of the race course, port-a-johns, first aid services, traffic control and the endless details of such an event.

At the race itself, we depend upon the support of scores of friends, neighbors, and co-workers to serve as volunteers to register the runners, hand out water, set up food, and provide information about brain tumors. Delta Tau Delta, a national fraternity chapter at American University, has adopted The Brain Tumor Society as a charitable activity and provides the services of about 40 fraternity brothers on race day.

2. Sponsors. Such an endeavor needs the generous support of major sponsors from the business world. Fees paid by runners to enter the race cover only the cost of the race itself, including t-shirts. The more runners you can attract, the more likely you are to attract sponsors. The major benefactor for the Brain Tumor 5K has been Duron Paints & Wall Coverings. This year, the race has secured two new title sponsors, Cassidy & Pinkard and SAIC. Other sponsors include Ben and Jerry's, 3M, and several other well-known enterprises, foundations, and generous individuals. We also depend upon gifts and coupons from generous merchants to be awarded at the race. These vary from expensive vacation opportunities, choice tickets to athletic events, or a dinner for two at a local restaurant.

3. Celebrities. We are all aware of well-known entertainers, athletes and political leaders who "humanize" the reality of an illness by public acknowledgement. In our case, the tragic death of three-year-old Andrew Rypien from a brain tumor in August 1998 brought us the vigorous support of Mark Rypien, the famed Super Bowl quarterback of the Washington Redskins, and his wife Annette. Mark Rypien co-chaired our 1999 race along with Congressman James P. Moran of Virginia, whose daughter suffers from brain tumors.

The Rypiens made several radio and television appearances on behalf of the run and drew other football stars, such as Charles Mann and Brian Mitchell, to meet with participants on the day of the race. Numerous members of Congress, including Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, endorsed our efforts. Rypien had been a member of Delta Tau Delta when he was in college, which led to the support of the American University chapter.

4. Faith, Hope, and Charity. Brain tumors strike more than 100,000 Americans annually. The cure rate is low and the incidence is on the rise. Brain tumors are the second leading cause of cancer death in children and young adults and increasing among the elderly. There are numerous worthwhile needs in society but your participation or sponsorship of the Cassidy & Pinkard/SAIC Brain Tumor 5K can help the Brain Tumor Society sustain its work to support research and needed victim and family services.

The "There Is Hope" Cassidy & Pinkard/SAIC Brain Tumor 5K Run and Walk is scheduled for Sunday, April 21, 2002 at Frredom Plaza, beginning at 9:30 A.M. A kid's fun run will follow. For information call 301-871-0400. See the race Web site and register online at www.runwashington.com.