100% Of Every Dollar Donated Will Fund Sarcoma Cancer Research
Register Now For 22nd Annual Richard’s Run For Life
Richard’s Run For Life at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 in Ybor City's Centennial Park will benefit the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine’s osteosarcoma immunotherapy research.
In 2006, the Gonzmart Family added German Shepherd puppies Rusty and Enzi to their families. Rusty belonged to Richard, pictured at left. Enzi belonged to his daughter Andrea, at right. Rusty was devoted, clear-headed and protective. Enzi was loving, patient and strong.
In 2011, Rusty unexpectedly fell ill. Local veterinarians told the Gonzmart family that their beloved dog had cancer and would only live a few more weeks. Heartbroken, Richard took the advice of a close friend to get a second opinion at UF Small Animal Hospital.
There, researchers instead discovered that Rusty was suffering a rare fungal infection called aspergillosis. At the time, this new diagnosis seemed like a second death sentence. Nearly 100% of dogs with aspergillosis lost their lives within a few months. However, medical teams with University of Florida and Moffitt Cancer Center miraculously extended Rusty’s life for another seven years, through regular treatments and medicines donated from Moffitt.
In 2013, Andrea’s dog Enzi was diagnosed with sarcoma cancer. Her treatment lasted nine months, but sarcoma is a notoriously nefarious foe. Enzi sadly passed away on July 13, 2013.
Richard and his wife Melanie, grateful to the university for its dedication to their family dogs, began a relationship of supporting the UF Small Animal Hospital –– namely, their important oncology research.
The Gonzmart Family Oncology Research Fund supports clinical trials on cancer vaccines for osteosarcoma. Sarcoma, the rare disease that shortened Enzi’s life, also is the number two cause of cancer in children. University of Florida’s groundbreaking vaccines have proven effective at shrinking tumors in mice and dogs, and now are being tested on human children. By treating sarcoma, doctors can prevent amputation and stop cancer from spreading.
By joining us at Richard’s Run For Life on Nov. 3, you raise money to improve and expand osteosarcoma research. Help us find a cure for cancer, one step at a time!
If you would prefer to donate directly to the UF Gonzmart Family Oncology Research Fund, please visit the link below:
Run Hard (Or Not). Eat, Drink, And Do Good.
Event Details:
Date: Friday, Nov. 3
Time: Centennial Park opens at 5 p.m., Race starts at 7 p.m.
Location: Centennial Park, Ybor City
Registration Details:
$40 for all ages (increases to $50 for late and day-of registration), includes a long sleeve Dri-FIT run shirt and admission to the post-race party.
Post-race Details:
Food provided by the 1905 Family Of Restaurants:
Columbia Restaurant (Paella de pollo, 1905 Salad, white rice and black beans)
Goody Goody (Chocolate pie)
Casa Santo Stefano (Casarecce bolognese)
Ulele Spring Brewery (Beer)
Enjoy music and awards ceremony after the run.
Exclusively For Foodies:
Non-participants can join the post-race party for a fee of $25 for adults and $15 for 12 and under, supporting the cause and enjoying the food and festivities.
Dr. Rowan Milner
At right, Dr. Rowan Milner, a UF Health Cancer Center member and innovator of a canine osteosarcoma cancer vaccine. He has discovered a method to develop a vaccine that precisely targets an antigen unique to osteosarcomas.
Photo credit: University of Florida
A Family Supporting
A Cause:
At left, owner Richard Gonzmart with his beloved German shepherds Rusty, Rex and his granddog, Enzi, who underwent treatment at the University of Florida’s Small Animal Hospital for sarcoma cancer.
Our collective support has already raised about $3 million benefiting Moffitt Cancer Center in the past 21 years. Let’s make a real impact together in the fight against cancer.
Ready to Make a Difference?
