(PR) American Idol champion David Cook will run his first marathon and launch a fundraising campaign to help find a cure for brain cancer, which claimed his brother's life two years ago. Cook says he hopes to raise $100,000 leading up to the 2012 Honda LA Marathon on behalf of Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure (ABC2).
While the Honda LA Marathon will be Cook's first time completing 26.2 miles on foot, the musician is not new to running or the fundraising scene. Over the past three years, he ran the Race for Hope - DC 5K race to raise funds for ABC2, a non-profit that provides researchers with the support they need to make critical breakthroughs, and the National Brain Tumor Society. Cook's older brother's struggle with brain cancer has provided him with the extra motivation to raise charitable funds for the cause while training for the marathon.
"Running a full marathon has always been a goal of mine, and I'm excited to commit to running the Los Angeles race in 2012," said Cook. "I'm looking forward to pushing myself physically, and to using the Marathon as an opportunity to raise money for a cause that is close to my heart. I felt an immediate connection to ABC2 and the work that they do in the brain cancer field – I know that my fundraising efforts will give me that extra push I need to get across the finish line next March.
Cook will roll out his ambitious fundraising efforts on Crowdrise.com, the Honda LA Marathon's official fundraising platform launched by actor/activist Edward Norton in 2010. Beginning at 9:30AM PDT today, the first 50 people to donate $26 to David's run for ABC2 will receive an autographed photo. Backstage VIP passes, signed guitars and meet and greets will also be incentives offered during his six-month campaign for ABC2.
On October 9th, Cook will embark on a national tour alongside Gavin DeGraw that kicks off at Penn State University. The pair will travel through the Midwest, California, down to Texas and then end their tour on November 11th in Athens, Georgia. Cook's Twitter updates and blog entries throughout his travels will direct concert goers and fans to his Crowdrise page and help raise awareness of his fundraising efforts in connection with the marathon.
