Angels Among Us Have 2020 Vision:A Cure for Brain Cancer

By: Julie Poucher Harbin, Senior Writer, DCI


Every spring, come rain or come shine, patients, survivors, caregivers, loved ones, and Duke faculty and staff gather at the Angels Among Us 5K and Walk of Hope to celebrate hope and raise funds to fight brain cancer.
Behind every team photo and supportive hug at the annual event are stories of personal struggle and/or triumph, but always love. New teams form. Old ones dissolve. And some teams are in it for the long haul.
Funds raised at Angels Among Us, the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center’s signature event, play an important part in advancing groundbreaking therapies and technologies. They’re used where the need is, from supporting a new researcher to buying new equipment for the lab or surgical suite.
In its 26-year history, the event has raised over $27 million for the cause. The community of supporters has grown exponentially.
Last year more than 4,000 participants raised a record $2.3 million. This year, organizers are hoping to top their $2 million goal again this year by event day, Saturday, October 10.
Patients, supporters, faculty and staff are invited to form or join teams at the Angels Among Us web site.
“Our page is already up and we are rocking and rolling,” said Anne Baker Beebe, event coordinator for Angels. “Over 90 teams registered and we’ve already raised close to $400,000.”

Beebe lost her husband Bob to an inoperable brain tumor in 2001. The couple’s children were four, six and nine years old at the time. For her, the annual Angels Among Us event is deeply personal.
“Every year since my husband’s passing my kids and I have had an Angels Among Us team; now 18 years,” said Beebe, who also served on the Angels Planning Committee for two years. “My kids take turns being the team captain and hosting fundraisers for our team, Bob’s Battlers. It has been great therapy for all of us.”
Beebe has been a staff assistant with the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center since 2015.
“I love being here at the Tisch Brain Tumor Center,” continued Beebe. “The staff are amazing and it is truly a family that has made me feel welcome. I strongly believe in the mission and the importance of funding the research here. We are making a difference.”
Angels Among Us begins with a 5K run through the Duke campus, followed by a Walk of HOPE around the medical center campus and the Duke Gardens. The family-friendly event offers a silent auction, entertainment, and fun activities for children (including a free prize at the children's prize tent) and also includes great food vendors, free soft drinks and much more. Awards are given to the top 10 fundraising teams, top newcomer team, and top 5 T-shirt designs.
Patients, supporters, faculty and staff are invited to form or join teams at the Angels Among Us web site.
Because of the continued rise in COVID-19 cases, and in an effort to protect the health and well-being of our patients, families, supporters, volunteers and staff, the in-person Angels Among Us 5K & Walk of Hope, will now be a virtual event on October 10, which participants can join from anywhere.
CIRCLE PHOTO (TOP): Anne Beebe (then Baker) and her kids at Angels Among Us in 2006 with their team Bob's Battlers about five years after her husband Bob Baker lost his battle with brain cancer.
Angels Among Us 5K and Walk of Hope
When
September 25 to October 10, 2020
Where
Virtual
Registration
Form a team, join an established team or register as an individual! (Registration is $30)
Register before September 14 to ensure receiving your race packet before event starts. We will mail it to you.
- Every registrant gets a 2020 event shirt and finisher ribbon.
- Brain cancer survivors will also receive custom survivor shirt and bib.
Registration ends Thursday, September 24, at 6 p.m. ET.
How to Participate
- Once you have registered, Make a Move to end brain cancer by running, walking, biking, or crawling (your choice!) a 5K and/or 1-mile distance(s) for our Angels Among Us virtual event.
- Then complete your 5K and / or 1-mile event(s) anytime between September 25 and October 10. Your registration includes both distances.
- Registrants will have access to the app — "IYR Virtual" — that will track, measure, and display race results. Use the app to track, measure, notify and upload results for all participants to see. Note: Our event may not appear in the IYR Virtual app until September.
- Registrants will be invited to a an online Angels Among Us 2020 Celebration of HOPE, to be held on October 10. Watch this space for details closer to the date.
Team Captains only: Join to interact with fellow captains / brainstorm ideas in a special Facebook community.
Learn More
Email Anne Beebe or Katie Massey with any questions