Angels Among Us Raises Record $2.3 Million

First Place: Gavin Finlay (center); Second Place: Zachary Vaslow (right); Third Place: Jonathan Stallings (left)More than 4,000 participants attended the 25th Annual Angels Among Us 5K on Saturday, April 28. Together, they raised a record $2.3 million to support the brain tumor research at Duke. 

"We are very grateful for the support we experienced this year," said Ellen Stainback, director of external relations with The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center and the event's organizer. "Last week we received a $200,000 donation from an anoymous donor, truly an angel among us."

First place went to Gavin Finlay with a time of 16:53. Zachary Vaslow came in second with a time of 17:17; and Jonathan Stallings came in third with a 17:44 finish. Team Raines was the top fundraising team, having raised more than $220,000.

Patients, survivors, caregivers, loved ones and faculty and staff came out under sunny skies to celebrate hope and raise funds. Ned Butler, his wife, Irene, and 17-year-old son, Alex, stepped out with their team Alex's Army. The group attended in support of Alex who, now in remission, has been battling brain cancer. 

"It's a great day for Angels," said Ned, who shared he would be taking Alex for proton therapy the following Monday. "It's a great cause. We're glad we could be here."

The event include food vendors, bouncy houses, games, silent auction and more. To the cheers of spectators, neuro-oncologist Annick Desjardins, MD, director of clinical research for the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, led faculty, staff and volunteers in a surprise flash mob. Entertainment also included dancers from Nina's School of Dance who performed at this year's Angels Among Us 5K. For more information and the latest numbers, visit Angels Among Us.

Spectrum News coverage: Angels Among Us

Duke Health News (Employee Intranet): DUH employees shake and twirl in flash mob dance for patients