News & Events
February 14, 2008
Inaugural RuBiRu a Huge Success for BTFC
RuBiRu Helps Raise Funds and Profile for Brain Cancer
All Proceeds Raised Remain in the Charlotte Region
CHARLOTTE – Oct. 31, 2007 – UNC Charlotte’s first 20K run, bike, run event drew more than 210 participants and raised more than $20,000 for brain cancer research. Officials estimate that proceeds might exceed $40,000 after all matching funds are processed.
RuBiRu comprised a 5K road race, a 10K bike time trial, and a 5K trail run. For children there was a RuBiRu Kid Zone sponsored by the University YMCA.
All proceeds raised will remain in the Charlotte region.
Participants were challenged to raise donations by seeking sponsorships. Phill Wertz and Bobby Ketchie each raised more than $5,000. Both are brain cancer survivors from the Charlotte region. One will receive a cooking class for 10 people with Chef Peter Reinhart of Johnson & Wales University after employer matching donations are tallied.
Approximately 100 volunteers from the University YMCA: UNC Charlotte athletics teams; staff and students; Brain Tumor Fund board members; and Presbyterian Neuro-ICU nurses participated. Presenting sponsor Hearst Service Center volunteered to sponsor RuBiRu again next year.
RuBiRu is part of an effort to create a multi-million dollar, nationally competitive brain cancer research program at UNC Charlotte that will partner with cancer physicians in the region’s major healthcare systems.
“This event exceeded all our expectations,” said Jim Palermo, co-founder of the Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas. “This is another solid step in our journey to provide brain cancer research in this region.”
Winners of the 5K road race were:
Patrick Schallenkamp, 18, of Matthews
Mike Murphy, 53, of Charlotte
Michael Greene, 25
Eimar Goggin, 50, of Charlotte was the first place female winner
Winners of the 10K Bike Time Trial were:
James Bowen, 50, of Charlotte
Brian Sain, 18, of Taylorsville
Matthew Chisholm, 24, of Charlotte
Catherine Betor was the first place female winner
Winners of the 5K Trail Run were:
Chan Pons, 30
Mike Murphy, 53 of Charlotte
Michael Greene, 25 of Charlotte
Lana Sohan, 21, was the first place female winner
“We laid a good foundation for an annual opportunity to host our community at UNC Charlotte and to raise funds for the growth of research at this university,” said Ashley Oster, UNC Charlotte director of community affairs. “Our campus provided a beautiful and challenging course that race participants enjoyed and we’re thrilled to have exceeded the fundraising goal for brain cancer research dollars.”
About UNC Charlotte
A public research university, UNC Charlotte is the fourth largest campus among the 17 institutions of the University of North Carolina system. It is the largest institution of higher education in the Charlotte region. The university offers 18 doctoral programs, 61 master’s degree programs and 89 programs leading to bachelor’s degrees. Fall 2007 enrollment exceeds 22,300 students, including almost 4,800 graduate students.
Media contact: Buffie Stephens, 704.687.2262, dbsteph1@uncc.edu.
