Hoosiers Outrun Cancer raises more than $170,000

More than 5,000 participants consisting of local Hoosiers and other athletes competed at Memorial Stadium on Saturday to raise more than $170,000 during the 14th annual Hoosiers Outrun Cancer.

The event featured a 5-kilometer racecourse for the 147 registered teams.
An additional racecourse was set up for a 1-mile Kids’ Run and Family Walk, and donations were accepted from those who were unable to participate in the actual race.

The money raised was donated to the IU Health Olcott Center for Cancer Education.

Jon Barada, president of the Bloomington Hospital Foundation, said the event is a huge contributor that helps keep the Olcott Center a part of IU Health.
“Since the moment I arrived here, everyone that I’ve talked to has said, ‘You’re
not going to believe it until you see it,’” Barada said. “This is an amazing event.”

Barada was appointed as the foundation’s new president last July as part of the IU Health Bloomington Hospital’s fundraising division.

Barada said Kim Rudolph, special events manager for the Bloomington Hospital Foundation, was the backbone in organizing the event.

Rudolph said contributions from local businesses were a huge asset in financially supporting the event.

The race included support from more than 20 sponsorships and corporate participants, including Southern Indiana Physicians, IU Health Bloomington Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary and Bloomington Anesthesiologists, P.C.

“This event has many sponsors. I can’t even begin to name them all,” Rudolph said. “We are well supported by the community.”

Rudolph said this year’s event raised between $170,000 and $180,000.  The event has raised more than $2 million during the last 14 years combined, all of which has been donated to the Olcott Center.

According to IU Health’s website, “The Center offers an extensive lending library, weekly support groups, patient advocacy and some individualized financial assistance.”

As a part of IU Health, the center provides one-on-one education with clients and their family members. Rudolph said the center also offers services and education, free of charge, to anybody who has been affected by cancer.

Rudolph said participants at this year’s race consisted of cancer survivors as well as supporters who donated to the cause to support friends and family.

Providing support to those who have fallen victim to cancer is what Rudolph said helps bring in more participants for the event year after year.

“I think from family members, friends and neighbors, the word really spreads about the cause and helps draw in more people,” Rudolph said. “They want to come out and help support the community.”

Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twtter @brttfrmn.