2nd Annual Racing for Hope
Sunday, March 16, 2008 * Santa Anita Race Track
For immediate release, please
Press Contacts:
City of Hope:
Jennifer Healy / 312-781-9290, ext. 20
Racing for Hope: Frank Tobin / 323.661.3720
2nd Annual Racing for Hope at Santa Anita Park Race Track
nets $150,000 for City of Hope Pediatrics
Arcadia, CA – Sunday, March 16, 2008 – The 2nd Annual Racing for Hope luncheon
was held today at Santa Anita Race Track in support of City of Hope Pediatrics. Event patrons,
sponsors and an SRO attendance of over 300 patrons were treated to a thrill-filled day at the races
and a superb luncheon in the rooftop Frontrunners Restaurant. To date, Racing for Hope II has
netted $150,000 including tickets sales and silent auction proceeds
“Men in Trees’” co-star Scott Elrod served as master of ceremonies with Access
Hollywood’s co-anchor Nancy O’Dell offering a special introduction to last year’s Racing for
Hope recipient, Dr. Karen Aboody, whose research focused on neural stem cells and their
therapeutic applications for primary and metastic cancers.
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City of Hope Pediatrics, the recipient of this years Racing for Hope proceeds, is
aggressively pursuing the causes and new treatments for childhood cancers, blood diseases and
other disorders through the following programs: Musculoskeletal Tumor; Hemophilia and Sickle
Cell; Hematopietic Cell Transplantation and Bain Tumor.
Racing for Hope was founded in 2007 by real estate developer and thoroughbred horse
breeder Marc Paul and his wife Renee, who battled breast cancer. Following Renee’s ordeal, the
couple were challenged by the lack of preparation for what happens afterwards – living life as a
cancer survivor.
Marc Paul reflects: “Once the doctor visits, the checkups and follow-up tests were
completed, questions and issues arose about nutrition, and supplements, complementary
medicines, exercise, counseling, mind-body therapies, support groups and the like. Questions that
needed the overall vision and framework of an all-inclusive medical care community which
would incorporate research, diagnosis, surgery, post surgery consultation and quality after care;
an institution that would offer world class research to complement state-of-the art medical
facilities and feature all of the recent advances in post operative care and comprehensive after
care resources. We found that assistance at City of Hope.”
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Renee and Marc Paul’s experience with cancer gave them a renewed passion, sense of
purpose and a point of reference to help people. Together, the couple, in partnership with City of
Hope made a commitment to help those who are diagnosed with cancer and to shine a spotlight
on the many other types of cancer that don’t receive the visibility, attention and funding that
breast and prostate cancer receive. They partnered with City of Hope after touring their facility
and seeing first hand the all-inclusive medical community dedicated to the prevention, treatment
and cure of cancer.
Racing for Hope was established as a direct result of the couple’s commitment to help
others. On March 16, 2007 the inaugural Racing for Hope event was held at the Santa Anita
Race Track and it netted $150,000 on $30,000 of expenses.
Today’s Racing for Hope event was highlighted by a silent auction, which included prime
Laker tickets as well as an Elton John Las Vegas package and a 7-day trip to Mexico. Beverly
Hills’s Karen Lynne Art Gallery displayed stunning original artwork centering on the world of
horse racing and donated a portion of the proceeds to City of Hope Pediatrics.
About City of Hope
City of Hope is a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other lifethreatening diseases. Designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the highest honor bestowed
by the National Cancer Institute, and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer
Network, City of Hope's research and treatment protocols advance care throughout the nation.
City of Hope is located in Duarte, Calif., just northeast of Los Angeles, and is ranked as one of
“America’s Best Hospitals” in cancer and urology by US News & World Report. Founded in
1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics. For
more information, visit www.cityofhope.org.