Our Cause
In 2001 Richard Gonzmart established the Columbia Restaurant Endowment for research at Moffitt Cancer & Research Center. Using his passion for running, he created “Richard’s Run For Life,” a tax exempt charity dedicated to raising funds for cancer research and to raise awareness of what this research will mean to the future under the Gonzmart Family Foundation.
The Inspiration for Richard's Run
Richard’s motivation to fight this disease comes from friends and family who have been affected by cancer and one young boy in particular, Mark Desmarais. Mark was a friend and inspiration to Richard, and he was the official starter for “Richard’s Run For Life” 5K race that was created seven years ago and has raised over $225,000. Gonzmart and his staff donate time to this event and others to raise funds for this cause. Richard was greatly saddened when 10-year-old Mark passed away from cancer in February of 2007. Mark’s spirit will continue to inspire Richard.
One of the Research Programs That Richard’s Run Supports is the Amadalee Fund at Moffitt
Amandalee Weiss’ story is one of a young woman’s courage and determination to help others survive cancer, particularly the rare form she faced. Before her death in 2003, the 20-year-old achieved her dream to graduate from college and did so in the last week of her life. However, before she died of osteogenic sarcoma, a rare bone disease, she let it be known that she wanted no one else to inherit her fate. She became the conceptual founder of the Amandalee Fund, which raises money for pediatric sarcoma research and ultimately benefits research for other cancers.
Contributions to Moffitt's research program through Richard's Run For Life appear in issues of Moffitt Legacy
Summer 2005
See Page 5 to learn more about Amandalee Weiss.
Summer 2007
See Page 3 to learn more about Lynn Culbreath & Richard Gonzmart
The Power of Research
“Research is extremely important in pediatric cancer treatment,” says Dr. Frank Smith, Director of the Division of Hematology and Oncology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. “We estimate between 50 and 70% of pediatric cancer patients get their treatment through research studies.” That’s compared to only 2-4% of adult cancer patients.
Unfortunately, research dollars for pediatrics are scarce, with most money diverted to well-publicized adult forms of cancer, such as breast and prostate. For example, the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) federal budget allocates 12% to breast cancer, 7% to prostate cancer, and all pediatric cancers combined received less than 3%. Childhood cancer research gets less than 3% of the money raised by the American Cancer Society.
“Children can not speak to the medical community or the government directly; they must rely on adults who love them to bring attention to threats to their health and safety. Excluding accidents, Cancer is the number-one killer of children. It is ironic that research on childhood cancer remains critically under-funded despite historically excellent results. Richard’s Run for Life is all about giving everyone a chance to help increase funding to find a cure to the degree they can, as well as to celebrate the generosity of the Tampa Bay Area, as a community.”
Richard’s Run for Life believes that no child or their family should have to suffer the horror, pain and despair of pediatric cancer.
Andrea's Sip For Life March 5, 2010
In 2007 Richard created "Andrea's Sip for Life," which has raised over $130,000 in three years for Moffitt Cancer & Research Center. This year, over 280 people enjoyed 250 premium wines from Spain, California and South America, along with Tapas prepared by The Columbia Restaurant. The event was named after Andrea Dicks Hartley, a young Mother and Moffitt patient who lost her battle to sarcoma cancer in August 2006 at the age of 30, leaving behind her 2 1/2-year-old daughter.
Thanks to Richard’s Run for Life, sarcoma research at Moffitt Cancer Center will one day sprint to the finish line. Every runner and walker carries the promise of life-saving research and the dream of a cure. Moffitt Cancer Center applauds Richard Gonzmart’s remarkable generosity and dedication toward our mission – to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute has made a lasting commitment to the prevention and cure of cancer, working tirelessly in the areas of patient care, research and education to advance one step further in fighting this disease.
