Written by Irena Choi Stern

Sep. 10, 2014: Kathleen O'Toole and her 14-year-old daughter, Sarah, are looking forward to running in the inaugural Bronxville Road Race for the Children's Brain Tumor Project on Saturday, September 13, and they are one of several mother-daughter duos taking part.

"We're participating because my niece Erin Hackett is involved with Elizabeth's Hope," said O'Toole, who works at SilverSpoon in Bronxville. "I've met [Elizabeth] at the Hacketts' house. All of Erin's friends were there."

Elizabeth's Hope is named for Elizabeth Minter, a 2009 Bronxville High School graduate who, in 2012, died after a battle with the rare and inoperable brain tumor gliomatosis cerebri. She was the inspiration for her surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Greenfield, to launch the Children's Brain Tumor Project with Dr. Mark Souweidane. They hope to raise $100,000 to fund another year of brain tumor research.

"We choose Bronxville to host our annual event quite simply because of Elizabeth's Hope, the foundation initially begun by Elizabeth Minter while being treated for her incurable brain cancer," said Dr. Greenfield, who moved to Bronxville with his family in 2012. "She loved the community and the community showed amazing support rallying around her during her illness. We could think of no better stage than Elizabeth's own hometown to carry on her wish that we pursue new, innovative, and personalized approaches towards these inoperable and often fatal brain cancers in children."

He added, "Most people don't recognize that this is the second most common cancer in children after leukemia and has a far worse prognosis. As partners with the Children's Brain Tumor Project, Elizabeth's Hope and several other family-oriented foundations have allowed us to initiate several groundbreaking clinical approaches towards treating children with the cancers and return 100 percent of our donations and proceeds from events into research activities."

The race includes a 5-mile timed run, a 2.2-mile timed walk/run (including prizes for the top three pushing baby strollers or walking their dog!), and a 1-mile kids' dash, all supported by local sponsors, including Houlihan Lawrence, Pepe Auto Group, and Gretchen Scott Designs.

Other local businesses donating both money and raffle prizes include Silk Road, Underhills Crossing, Maison Rouge, Fabio's Hair Salon, and SoulCycle. Donations have also been received from Morgan Stanley, Ogilvy, KIND bars, Bloomingdale's, and Inspirato (in Colorado). The Bronxville Farmers' Market will set up along Meadow Avenue next to the school, with special discounts for runners.

According to the organizers, the race couldn't take place without the support of the mayor's office, the police department, the Westchester Parks Department, and The Bronxville School.

"The Reformed Church is publicizing the race in their email newsletter--it's amazing how people step up immediately when they hear it's for Elizabeth's Hope," said Roseann Foley Henry, 
director of special projects 
for the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center.

O'Toole and her daughter are looking forward to the race on September 13, saying, "It's a good cause and it's a nice way to memorialize a wonderful young lady who was taken much too soon."

To register to run or to volunteer to help, go to the NYCRuns.com website, where you will find our race and a link to volunteer. We particularly need race marshals to help with traffic flow on race morning, but families and teams of volunteers will be crucial to the success of the event.

Register today: https://nycruns.com/races/?race=bronxville-road-race.
 Early discounted registration is available. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Pictured here (L to R): Dr. Jeff Greenfield, Dr. Caitlin Hoffman, Dr. Carrie Long, and Dr. Mark Souweidane and their families.

Photo courtesy Irena Choi Stern