'24 BrooklynRoseStrong 5K

The inaugural BrooklynRoseStrong 5K marked a powerful beginning for what has already become a meaningful community tradition. What started as an idea rooted in love and remembrance came to life through the collective efforts of 12 dedicated sponsors and more than 250 participants who showed up to walk, run, volunteer, and stand together in support of pediatric brain tumor research.

Families, friends, , advocates, and community members filled the course with purpose, each step representing hope for children facing devastating diagnoses like DIPG and other pediatric brain tumors. Through this shared commitment, the event raised over $5,000, with all proceeds benefiting The Cure Starts Now and Tough2Gether Foundation—two organizations at the forefront of advancing research, awareness, and support for affected families.

The morning was made even more meaningful by the presence of St. Cloud City Council members Ken Gilbert and Kolby Urban, who joined us for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, officially launching the event and symbolizing the community’s unified support for this cause. Their participation underscored the importance of local leadership in amplifying awareness and driving change.

Beyond the funds raised, the inaugural BrooklynRoseStrong 5K demonstrated the strength of a community coming together with a shared purpose—to honor Brooklyn’s legacy, to support families navigating pediatric brain cancer, and to take tangible steps toward a future where no family has to face these diagnoses without hope. This first event laid the foundation for continued impact, growth, and lasting change in the fight against pediatric brain tumors.