Dreary skies and wet pavement couldn’t stop the Miller Lab from running, walking, and cheering our way closer to better treatments for brain tumors on Saturday morning. UAB’s annual Blazer Bolt, a 5K race and 1 mile fun run that raises money for brain cancer research right here at UAB and Children’s Alabama, went off beautifully and our lab members were among the 800-some participants who gathered to race and support patients and families affected by brain cancer.
Along with the race, this event featured a Survivor Walk, in which brain cancer survivors, their families, and their friends crossed the finish line. The Survivor Walk is truly the heart of Blazer Bolt and was a moving, beautiful experience both for those participating and those cheering them on. Seeing the resilience of these incredible patients and their loved ones was a powerful motivator to continue our research towards finding a cure for glioblastoma. Funds raised from Blazer Bolt will benefit the brain tumor tissue bank biorepository, which will directly benefit the Miller Lab’s research on patient tumor samples and the development of future treatments.
Along with benefiting exciting new research, the Miller Lab members put in a strong showing at the race. Graduate students Abby Shelton, Erin Smithberger, and Kasey Skinner ran the 5K, with Abby and Erin sprinting to personal records for the distance, and Kasey winning her age group. Dr. Miller participated in the 1 mile fun run and boasted the largest fun run fan club thanks to all three graduate students making him handmade signs. Lab manager Ryan Bash and rotation student Julia Ziebro formed the best support squad, directing runners along the course and cheering them on. Ending the day with an excellent brunch at Big Bad Breakfast, we all basked in our accomplishments and are already looking forward to next year.
