Three years ago Thom Kohout’s uncle, Kenneth Whyte of Davenport, Iowa, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.
An assistant director of publications at GW, Mr. Kohout wanted to do something to fund cancer research but didn’t have the resources to make a substantial financial contribution.
So he decided to run a marathon.
Last year, Mr. Kohout helped spearhead the first ever Marine Corps Marathon team to raise funds for the GW Cancer Institute (GWCI).
“Philanthropy is something that’s just not in my budget, but this is something I can do to help that’s within my reach,” he said. “By enlisting the support of my friends and family, together we can make an impact. And although my uncle lives in Iowa, I chose to support the GW Cancer Institute because it does so much for the city.”
Last year, eight runners participated in a pilot project to get the GWCI team off of the ground. Mr. Kohout and his teammates raised more than $6,000 for the GW Cancer Institute.
“It was hugely fun,” said Mr. Kohout, who is helping manage a second annual team this year with Julie Ost, program associate in the Division of Cancer Prevention and Community Health at GWCI. Runners need to raise a minimum of $500 in donations for GWCI. The 2011 Marine Corps Marathon is Oct. 30.
“The GWCI Marine Corps Marathon team is an exciting opportunity for individuals to contribute to a culture of wellness,” said Mandi Pratt-Chapman, associate director of community programs for GWCI. “By training for a race, those who care about improving cancer care double their impact by making a personal commitment to improving their own wellness through increased physical activity while committing to raising funds to sustain the critical programs of the GW Cancer Institute.”
Mallory Boyd, director of student affairs at the School of Public Health and Health Services, decided to sign up for the GWCI team this year.
Ms. Boyd ran a marathon more than 10 years ago and was thinking about doing another. “At the same time,” she said, “I learned how prevalent cancer is in D.C.”
“I grew up here, and I just couldn’t believe with all of the affluent and educated people in D.C. the cancer rate was so high,” she said. “It all just came together at the same time.”
For runners who prefer a shorter distance, there’s also a Marine Corps 10K (6.2 miles) option.
Ms. Ost is running the 10K race. Because of past injuries, she can’t run the marathon distance but still wanted to support the effort.
She said her life has been touched by cancer for as long as she can remember.
“People passing away from cancer, including family members and neighbors, is something I’ve always known,” Ms. Ost said.
It’s part of what makes her work, which is currently focused on controlling young people’s access to tobacco, so meaningful. “I really believe in what we do at the Cancer Institute,” she said.