Reprinted from the Pioneer Press Newspaper

April 3, 2003

Charity Drive donations to aid tumor research
By KENNETH L R. PATCHEN
STAFF WRITER

Highland Park High School Charity Drive raised about $88,000 to contribute toward research about pediatric brain tumors.

The month-long event was described as "amazing" by event leaders.

Michael G. Lazar, one of three seniors managing the Charity Drive, said one of the best aspects of this year's drive, for him, was the very close relationships built by working with the Deutsch family.

The family established the Rory David Deutsch Foundation to help fund research into pediatric brain tumors. The foundation is named for their son who died from such a tumor.

"They've been with us doing the work," Lazar said. "It feels like we've been taken into the family."

Money donated to the foundation will go to Children's Memorial Hospital and Duke University for their research programs.

Ross Deutsch said the Foundation has a commitment to support $250,000 for research at Children's Memorial Hospital and $2 million at Duke University. Those totals are contributed over multiple years. The amount raised by the high school helps to meet those obligations during difficult economic times, but also has a direct benefit for patients.

He said the "translational research" into pediatric brain tumors done at the molecular level can go directly to the bedsides of patients for clinical trials. In short, the donation also will accelerate the opportunity to help children.
Deutsch said 100 percent of the donated money goes to research. The $88,000 is enough to support a laboratory, two researchers, test trial costs and materials for one year.

"To see other young adults and older kids rally and respond in a positive manner in Rory's name is something I can never forget," Deutsch said. "Life's experiences are so much more memorable when you share them. This was a collective example of responsibility, dedication and passion."

Lazar said it appeared direct donations to Charity Drive increased this year. Not every dollar had to be raised through an event. He speculated people were finding satisfaction from the act of contributing money to a cause.

He said the most popular event continues to be the Michael's Restaurant Dance. This year, students added the feature of voting for a Highland Park High School Idol. They did keep the traditional date for the auction this year.