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Dear Friend:
We would like to personally thank you for the generosity and commitment that you
have shown the Annie Ryan 5K Fun Run/Walk during the past six years. The
partnership that you have extended has allowed us to reach new heights. We are
pleased to announce that Former Attorney General Jim Ryan is the new chairman of
the Midwest Childrenís Brain Tumor Center. Together we will continue to make a
difference in the lives of these patients and their families suffering from this
devastating disease.
It is hard to believe that we will soon embark upon the 8th Annual Annie Ryan 5K Fun Run/Walk and Kids 1 Mile Dash. These events are scheduled to take place on Sunday May 18, 2008 in Elmhurst, Illinois. All proceeds will benefit the Midwest Childrenís Brain Tumor Center at Advocate Lutheran General Childrenís Hospital. We have presented to date over $500,000 to the Center. Through your efforts we have contributed helping to procure technology such as a Telemedicine Program and Intra Operative MRI. Telemedicine enables families to obtain a second opinion from the experts in the field of neurosurgery at Childrenís National Center in Washington D.C.
Intra Operative MRI made its debut at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital May of
2006, being the first in the State of Illinois to offer this revolutionary
technology. Unlike a typical MRI the Intra Operative MRI is designed to be used
by the neurosurgeons during surgery. This new technology allows accurate
guidance so critical structures in the brain can be avoided. This Intra
Operative MRI also gives the neurosurgeons immediate feedback on the amount of
tumor removed. Instead of identifying residual tumor via an MRI done after
surgery, the Intra Operative MRI can detect residual tumor during surgery,
avoiding the need for a second operation.
Pediatric brain tumors are the leading cause of childhood cancer related deaths
recently surpassing Leukemia. The Annie Ryan Fun Run is committed to support the
programs of the Midwest Childrenís Brain Tumor Center. The journey that these
families are on is a difficult one. With your continued sponsorship the Center
will continue offering the latest technology and family support programs.
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