Newswise — LOS ANGELES (Nov. 4, 2013) – Just days ago, Adam Drooks participated in New York’s inaugural Run for Her® New York Friendship Walk to support ovarian cancer research and awareness. But his passion to find a cure for the disease far exceeds one fundraising event. That’s why Drooks will lace up his running shoes again on Sunday, Nov. 10, and participate in the ninth annual Los Angeles Run for Her.
For the New York resident and Los Angeles native, Drooks’ drive to participate in both events comes from his mother, Donna Gold, who lost her battle with ovarian cancer when Drooks was 18. Gold was a regular participant in the Los Angeles Run for Her event and with the help of her friends and family she raised more than $20,000 for the Women’s Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai's Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute.
“My mother did everything in her power not to let her life be consumed by ovarian cancer,” said Drooks. “She was selfless and always remained focused on helping others, both professionally and personally. My mother’s passion for life will always motivate me.”
After his mother’s passing, Drooks made fundraising and awareness for the Women’s Cancer Program his personal mission. To date, through various athletic fundraising activities, he has raised more than $30,000. This year, Drooks is engaging family and friends on both coasts to support his participation in the New York and Los Angeles events.
“When I get tired at the end of a race, I realize that no cancer patient has the option to quit,” said Drooks. “Chemotherapy is terrible, but a patient has to keep going; they can’t just stop. So I tell myself that quitting is not an option for me either. I’m too committed to supporting ovarian cancer research.”
There is still time to join Drooks at the start line. Registration is available at runforher.com, and on-site registration is available for a fee of $40. The race kicks off at 8:30 a.m. in Pan Pacific Park, 7600 Beverly Blvd. The USA Track and Field-certified course heads west on Third Street to Cedars-Sinai and loops back to Pan Pacific Park and the Finish Line Festival featuring music, prizes, T-shirts, goodie bags and giveaways. Run for Her was founded in 2005 by Kelli Sargent in honor of her mother, Nanci Sargent, who lost her life to ovarian cancer. Kelli says that the run-walk "carries forward Mom's strength, inspiration and compassion" as well as her dream of helping medical science develop a cure for the disease. The event has raised more than $5 million to date.
Beth Y. Karlan, MD, director of the Women’s Cancer Program and the Division of Gynecologic Oncology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, recognizes the importance and hard work of families, friends and fundraisers whose lives have been touched by ovarian cancer.
“The passion and commitment of people like Adam Drooks inspires us to work even harder on behalf of all women with cancer. His mother, Donna, was an incredible force and it’s rewarding to see Adam follow in his mother’s running shoes fueled by her spirit and generosity,” said Karlan, the Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Chair in Gynecologic Oncology and a White House appointee to the National Cancer Advisory Board. “Adam’s steadfast dedication to this effort will help support vital research that will ultimately lead to better screening, treatments and, someday, a cure for ovarian cancer.”
For additional information and a downloadable registration form, visit runforher.com, or call toll-free 888-704-6178. # # #
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