PHOENIX, Ariz. (Feb. 8, 2010): Students from across the Valley will walk up to five miles around the Sun Angel Stadium track on Saturday, Feb. 27 to raise money for brain tumor research during the 2010 Students Supporting Brain Tumor Research (SSBTR) Walk-A-Thon.
The metro Phoenix event, from noon to 3 p.m., is one of two walks also planned in Tucson on Feb. 20 at the University of Arizona mall.

Students, and others committed to the event, solicit sponsors for the walk or to donate either online (www.ssbtr.org) or by check.  Proceeds from the event support Barrow Neurological Institute, the National Brain Tumor Society, Phoenix Children’s Hospital and TGen. A silent auction also is planned at the event.

Founded in 2002 after three Paradise Valley school district students lost their struggle to brain tumors, SSBTR last year raised $214,443 and has donated more than $1 million to fund tumor research.

Some facts about brain tumors:

• Within the next 12 months, more than 200,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with a primary or metastatic brain tumor.
• Brain tumors are the leading cause of solid tumor cancer deaths in children through high-school age and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in young adults from 20-39.
• Because of their location at the control center for thought, emotion and physical function, brain tumors are difficult to treat.
• Currently brain tumors cannot be prevented because their causes are unknown.

Sponsors of the Walk are:

• Presenting: Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and Barrow Neurological Institute
• Platinum: Diamondbacks, Fast Turtle Technologies, General Mills, Phoenix Suns, Harkins Theatres, Desert Mountain Wolves, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Zeiss, Royal Caribbean, Valpak of Arizona at Phoenix, IBIS Foundation of Arizona, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Mark Erickson’s Team, ASU- USG, Kay, Rose & Partners, LLC, Lauren Kaye Family, Tim Mayhew’s Family, Fun Runners Rentals, The Rick Oehme Foundation, University Medical Center
• Gold: American Express, Amster & Willis, CPA’s, The Apothecary Shops, The Branding Spot, Costa Cruises, Hirsch Family, Jaburg & Wilk Foundation, Matt Turk Foundation, Nicky Mailliard’s Loved Ones, Rudolph Family, Valley Anesthesiology Foundation
• Silver: Argonaut Group, Domain Communities, GG Gems, Golden Spoon, Friends & Family of Grandma Joanie, W illiam and Nancy Heller Family, Lauren Kaye’s NY Friend, Phoenix Children’s Center, Revolution Tea, Scottsdale Pediatric Center, SOHO Hair Studio

To register or for more information, go to www.ssbtr.org, email admin@ssbtr.org or call 1-888-SSBTRAZ (772-8729).

About SSBTR
Founded in 2002 after three Paradise Valley school district students lost their battle with brain tumors, Students Supporting Brain Tumor Research (SSBTR) is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization that raises funds to support brain tumor research through annual walk-a-thons. Since 2002, SSBTR has donated more than $1 million to Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, the National Brain Tumor Society and TGen. For information, visit www.ssbtr.org.