Accelerate the Cure for Brain Cancer

In 1997, the Race for Hope was founded by Lionel and Sandy Chaiken along with Dana Daczkowski and Nike Beddow.  The Chaiken's had recently lost their daughter Pamela to brain cancer and Dana was battling a recurrence of her anaplastic astrocytoma tumor.  We wanted to raise awareness about the dire need for new, effective treatments and raise funds to drive the research.  We also knew we couldn't do it alone, we needed friends, family, co-workers...everyone to join the fight.  Together, we attended other charity races while searching for a sponsor. Thankfully, Duron Paints came through with a check that helped to establish the Race for Hope. 

Once again this year, Team Pamela Sue and All for Dana have joined forces to create a team that celebrates the compassion and determination that inspired the Race for Hope for the past 26 years!  Pamela Sue was a wonderful and inspiring lady who left a positive impression on everyone she met. Pam died peacefully on September 29th, 1995, surrounded by the amazing and loving members of her family, Lionel, Sandy and Stephanie. Dana was a runner, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend and little sister to Nike. She also was the most determined person you'll ever meet. Dana died two months after the first race on June 6, 1998, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Entering twenty-seven years, and over $37 million later, the Race for Hope is now the largest brain tumor race in the world.  Our teams have been there all these years, and so far we have raised over $1 million ourselves. The money we've raised has been used to fund research that is accelerating the development of new, effective treatments, including, the drug Vorasidenib, a variety of brain cancer vaccines as well as genomic profiling that is driving personalized therapies. NBTS has also created the DNA Damage Response Consortium, utilizing leading experts in both pediatric and adult neuro-oncology from nine research institutions across the US.

On behalf of the entire All for Pamela Sue and Dana family, we want to thank you for your support this year, as well as the support you have shown us over the last twenty-six years.  Please join our team on May 5, 2024 as we attack brain tumors with a sense of urgency and give hope to those suffering with brain tumors today.

The Beddow, Daczkowski and Chaiken Families

On 12/13/18, Lionel passed away at the age of 88. Over the years he singlehandedly raised over $500,000 for the Race for Hope and was dedicated until the very end. Our commitment to finding a cure for brain tumors will not waver and will continue in Lionel's memory.

To read Lionel's tribute: http://www.braintumorcommunity.org/site/DocServer/Lionel_Chaiken_memory_TH.pdf?docID=11442&fbclid=IwAR3NATSVxa8jg4ASgHyTTLiy1N_39fkAJbJ8u162WW0odXT_9IIY1ZYEPDA