News Releases

Run to Honor Memory of Houston Medical’s Dr. Marnie Rose

Houston, Texas, April 19, 2004 –– Building on the incredible success of 2000 runners and walkers participating in last year’s inaugural 5K run, friends and family of television’s Houston Medical star Marnie Rose, M.D., will again honor her legacy with Run for the Rose.

To be held downtown in Sam Houston Park on Sun., May 16, at 7:30 a.m., the second annual run will benefit brain tumor research at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center as well as pediatric initiatives at Memorial Hermann Children’s Hospital. Last year’s event raised more than $90,000 for the two institutions.

“The support we received from the community last year was truly inspiring – Marnie would have been so proud of the event’s overwhelming success and its impact on the two causes that touched her life so personally –– cancer and children,” says Myles, Marnie’s twin. “My sister chose to fight cancer with the nation watching. In doing so, she put a ‘face’ to brain cancer and offered strength and optimism to many who were ill. By making the Run for the Rose an annual event, we hope to continue Marnie’s legacy and honor her spirit, courage and strength.”

Rose was 27 years old and in the first year of her pediatric medical residency when she was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. Despite her diagnosis, she agreed to share all –– her cancer journey, personal life and professional duties as a medical resident –– with a TV crew from the ABC reality series Houston Medical.

The critically acclaimed hospital series followed the lives of doctors, nurses, other health care professionals and patients at Memorial Hermann Hospital. Houston Medical aired nationally on the ABC Network for six weeks during the summer of 2002.

In the show’s debut episode, Rose stunned viewers by pulling off her wig, revealing that she was both a doctor and a patient. Throughout the run of Houston Medical, viewers were awed by her determination to keep working despite her illness, candor about her disease, and positive attitude in the face of adversity.
Rose died on Aug. 23, 2002, from complications due to her cancer, just five weeks after the show’s final episode aired.

“Brain cancer robbed our daughter of her career, her mobility and then her life, but it never diminished her sense of humor, her spirit or her will to survive,” says Lanie Rose, Marnie’s mother. “Marnie never lost hope that new treatment would work. We, in turn, will never stop searching for a cure nor will we ever forget the children so dear to her heart. By holding the Run for the Rose year after year, we are determined to continue the wonderful work she began.”

According to the American Cancer Society, 17,000 men and women were diagnosed with a form of brain cancer in 2003, and more than 13,000 individuals died of their disease.

The Run for the Rose is a sanctioned 5K race/walk for adults; other race-day activities include a 1K family walk and a post-race party for all participants.

Medals will be awarded to male and female 5K participants who finish first overall. First through third place male and female finishers in specific-age categories will also be recognized.

Early registration for the Run for the Rose is $20 per adult and $12 for children ages 12 and under. Entry forms are available by calling race headquarters at 713-993-9288 and by logging on to www.runfortherose.com. All entrants will receive a commemorative race T-shirt.

For more information, contact Media Relations.