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Community Corner

Tony Turchi Foundation hosts first 5K Race for Preventive Breast Cancer Vaccine

Each year there are approximately 250,000 new cases of breast cancer among women in the US, and nearly 2,000 newly diagnosed cases in men. If those, an estimated 40,500 are expected to lose their battle to the disease. Breast cancer is the leading killer among women worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer death for women in the U.S.

In March 2011, Toni Turchi was diagnosed with a rare & aggressive form of breast cancer called triple-negative.  Her tumor was ignored and misdiagnosed by her doctor, and went undetected by mammography. Currently there is no adjuvant treatment for triple negative known as TNBC.  The standard year-long treatment regime is five months of chemo-therapy followed by mastectomy, and 34 rounds of radiation. Toni had been a runner for 30 years and had always taken care of herself, yet she’s living proof that cancer discriminates against no one. This diagnosis has changed her life, and it’s now her mission to protect others  by raising money to support research to prevent, and one day eradicate, the disease of breast cancer.

Throughout the past two years, Toni has been supporting the research of Cleveland Clinic Immunologist, Dr. Vincent Touhy.   After ten years of research, Dr. Tuohy has developed the world’s very first preventive breast cancer vaccine. This vaccine is ready and waiting to be tested but is sitting on a shelf at the Cleveland Clinic awaiting the funds necessary to begin clinical trials in women.  In April of 2012, Toni launched the Toni Turchi Foundation for breast cancer, a 501C3 nonprofit corporation, to raise awareness and funds to begin vaccine clinical trials.

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On October 5th, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Toni Turchi Foundation will host its first annual 5K race, in conjunction with the City of Broadview Heights and Mayor Sam Alai.  The Turchi Foundation has retained the expertise of the Hermes Sports and Events organization.  For more information on the vaccine or to register for the race, please go to  www.toniturchifoundation.org.

Please join us for the race to end breast cancer!

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