Voices Against Brain Cancer Brings the Fight for a Cure to New Jersey With its Inaugural "Join the Voices!" Run/Walk

ESSEX COUNTY, N.J., June 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Voices Against Brain Cancer, a national non-profit organization committed to finding a cure for brain cancer and brain tumors, is set to host its inaugural Join the Voices! New Jersey Run/Walk on Sunday, June 7^th at Brookdale Park in Montclair, NJ. The charitable event will feature a 5K run, 3K scenic walk, family activities and live entertainment by the music band Chris "Breeze" Barczynski. Funds raised will go towards the advancement of brain cancer research, and all donations will be earmarked for New Jersey institutions that are committed to finding a cure, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the JFK Brain Tumor Center.

Voices Against Brain Cancer hosts Run/Walks across the nation in hopes to support the brain cancer community, create greater national awareness, and ultimately find a cure. During the first-ever New Jersey event, the Foundation will be honoring many local patients, caregivers, doctors and healthcare providers for their roles in the fight against this devastating disease.

At this event, one of the Foundation's newest resources, will be made available for New Jersey families, the Voices Against Brain Cancer Family Initiative Program. This resource is a unique support system for patients, caregivers and families afflicted by brain cancer and brain tumors. The program includes: C3 (connect, create, collaborate), art, music and yoga workshops allowing people to collaborate with others going through similar situations; the Caregiver Meet Up, which brings together caregivers via online and in-person forums; Survivor Reboot group supporting Brain Cancer survivors; Brainstorm Educational Series of videos; Brain Cancer 101, and the After The Storm group, which is for those who have lost a spouse or partner.

Voices Against Brain Cancer, leaders in the brain cancer community, has secured several major sponsors for the event, who are dedicated to supporting the brain cancer community, which include: ADP, The Gama Knife Center at Robert Wood center,  JFK Brain Tumor Center, Lane Industries, Novocure, Pepsi, TOPCON.

The recipient of this year's Gary Lichtenstein Humanitarian Award is Joseph Landolfi, D.O., JFK Brain Tumor Center, and the recipient of the Medical Advisory Award is Simon Hanft, MD, Neurosurgeon, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Iram Leon, the renowned marathon runner and last year's VABC Courage Award Recipient will also be attending the event. 

Additional award recipients include:

• Courage Award: Nancy Conn-Levin, M.A., Kelsey Flanigan, Kristen McCurdy, Lauren Rabinowitz, Angelo Vayas – Posthumously, and Kerry Velotti
• Caregiver Award: Mariel Alguacil and John Kolaya
• Compassionate Care Award:  Patricia Anthony, RN, BSN, CNRN and Catherine Furnbach, RN
• Youth Ambassador Award: Jenna Genung, Little Miss New Jersey

"As Voices Against Brain Cancer continues to unite the brain cancer community around the country, we are proud to announce our first-ever New Jersey event," said Mario Lichtenstein, Founder of Voices Against Brain Cancer. "We are honored that our national run/walks continue to give a voice to those afflicted by this devastating disease. We are very excited to share our mission to raise awareness and find a cure with the citizens of this great state. We've lost great minds to brain cancer, and we want everyone to come together to use theirs to find a cure."

Voices Against Brain Cancer, leaders in the brain cancer community, was founded in loving memory of Gary Lichtenstein, who lost his valiant battle with brain cancer on October 1, 2003. Since then, the organization has garnered support from other patients, survivors, their families, caregivers, prestigious doctors and celebrities, all united in their drive towards finding a cure for this devastating disease.  When asked what inspired him to organize VABC's national run/walks, Mario Lichtenstein notes, "I couldn't save the life of my son, but perhaps I can save the life of others."

Participants of "Join the Voices! New Jersey Run/Walk" are encouraged to raise funds for Voices Against Brain Cancer. To make a donation, volunteer or participate in the upcoming Run/Walk please visit: www.jointhevoicesnewjersey.org. Check-in and registration begins at 8:00am, with start times beginning at 9:00am.

For press inquiries, please contact: 5W Public Relations.

About Voices Against Brain Cancer

Voices Against Brain Cancer's (VABC) mission is to find a cure for brain cancer and brain tumors by advancing scientific research, increasing awareness, creating a brain cancer and tumor community, and supporting patients, their families and caregivers afflicted with this devastating disease.

Voices Against Brain Cancer was started in loving memory of Gary Lichtenstein who at 24 years old lost his battle with brain cancer on October 1, 2003. Gary was living in Chicago and working as an options trader at Wolverine Trading when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor on March 4, 2003. After three months of radiation, Gary slipped into a coma from which he did not recover. Soon after his passing, Gary's family started Voices Against Brain Cancer to raise money and awareness for the fight against this devastating disease.

"I couldn't save the life of my son, but perhaps I can save the life of others." 
-Mario Lichtenstein, Founder Of VABC

VABC has a wide variety of initiatives in motion for brain cancer research, awareness and support. The organization's research grants fund cutting-edge programs that will have a monumental impact on the diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer and brain tumors. Currently, these grants are being funded at numerous esteemed institutions including: Baylor University, Boston Children's Hospital / Harvard, Brain Tumor Biotech Center / Feinstein Institute / North Shore LIJ Health System, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Central Brain Tumor Registry Of The United States, Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia,  Cleveland Clinic / Case Western Reserve University, Columbia, Cornell, Dana Farber / Harvard, Duke, The Feinstein Institute / North Shore LIJ Health System, Harvard, Hofstra / North Shore LIJ School Of Medicine, Johns Hopkins, Lenox Hill Hospital / North Shore LIJ Health System, Long Island Brain Tumor Center, NY, Lurie Children's Hospital / Northwestern, Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard, MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York University, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, Rush University, Stony Brook University, University Of California Davis, University Of California Irvine, University Of California Los Angeles, University Of California San Diego, University Of California San Francisco, University Of Chicago, University Of Michigan, University Of Pittsburgh, University Of Texas San Antonio, University Of Virginia, Vanderbilt University, Wake Forest, Washington University, Yale and more.

VABC extends throughout the international community and funds research in countries such as Australia, Canada, Israel, Spain and more. As part of the Foundation's commitment to "leave no stone unturned" in the search for a cure, VABC supports Cannabis Research and the exploration of the potential risks associated with Mobile Phone Radiation.

VABC continues to hold events across the country in locations such as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Connecticut, Dallas, Las Vegas, Long Island-New York, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey, New Orleans, New York City, New York City Half Marathon, New York City Marathon, North Carolina, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, Virginia and Washington, DC.

"We've Lost Great Minds To Brain Cancer. Use Yours To Help Us Find The Cure Today."
-Mario Lichtenstein, Founder Of VABC

Connect with VOICES: www.Facebook.com/VoicesAgainstBrainCancer 
Visit VOICES: www.VoicesAgainstBrainCancer.org

SOURCE Voices Against Brain Cancer

Related Links

http://www.voicesagainstbraincancer.org/

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