Kai's Challenge: Join Her in Fighting Cancer
When her cherished grandmother died from ovarian cancer in January 2006, Kai Johnson challenged her friends and family to donate to cancer research at the Lerner Research Institute instead of giving her birthday presents.
In July, the 12-year-old Ashtabula resident presented a check for $235 to Janet Houghton, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Cancer Biology – seed money toward a goal of $10,000 to create a permanent fund to support cancer research in the Genomic Medicine Institute (GMI) and Cancer Biology.
Kai is now challenging others – individuals, businesses and private foundations – to match her efforts by contributing to the “Kai's Challenge: Music for Life” fund. The intent is to reach $10,000 by December 31, 2007.
“I really love my grandma and miss her a lot,” Kai said. “It's important to me to try to help find a cure for cancer. I think it's a cause everyone should help with.”
Kai and her mother, Kathy Pape, were given a tour by Dr. Houghton of her laboratory and later of the Institute's facilities. Kai's dream is to become a research scientist and one day help to cure cancer – perhaps at the Lerner Research Institute.
“One in three people will develop cancer in their lives. That means everyone will be touched in some way by cancer, whether as a patient or as family and friends of a patient,” said Dr. Houghton. “The work we're doing in Cancer Biology and GMI – throughout the Institute, in fact – is building the foundation of new diagnostic and prevention tools, therapies and cures.”
Charis Eng, M.D., Ph.D., GMI Chair, lauded Kai for her selflessness.
“It's both inspirational and extremely touching to see this kind of commitment and interest from a 12-year-old,” Dr. Eng said. “Kai's generosity sets a great example for the rest of us to support the research today that will improve people's lives and patient care in the future.”
Other events are planned to support the creation of the fund. A benefit concert
featuring Nashville recording artist GM Paterson and Overdrive is scheduled
for Saturday, September 15, at The Plain Dealer Pavilion on the West Bank
of The Flats in Cleveland . More details are available at www.lerner.ccf.org/giving/musicforlife/.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, August 3 at Ticketmaster – by phone at 216-241-5555 or online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ .
Donations to help Kai meet the goal of establishing the fund can be sent to: Alicia Hoose, Director of Development, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, 9500 Euclid Ave./NB21, Cleveland OH 44195 . Please note “Kai's Challenge: Music for Life” on the check. Donations are 100% tax deductible.