12th Annual Cullen Run Brings Record Turnout And a $20,000 Donation for Heart Research

May 12 - The 12th annual Steve Cullen Healthy Heart Club Run/Walk presented a check for $20,000 to the Medical College of Wisconsin this week to help fund cardiovascular research. The 777 runners and walkers who participated in the February 9th run and walk represent a 20 percent increase over last year’s record turnout.

“We are so grateful to the growing number of people who come out and support us year after year,” says event chair Gael Garbarino Cullen. “Their inspiring dedication has enabled us to contribute a total of nearly $75,000 to heart research at the Medical College over the past five years.”

“Private local funding such as this enables researchers with promising ideas to collect the data necessary to compete for major federal grants,” says David R. Harder, Ph.D., Kohler Co. Professor in Cardiovascular Research and director of the Medical College Cardiovascular Center. “These seed grants provide potential for exponential returns in federal funding to the community for local research.”

Sponsors of this year’s event included Landaas & Co.; Zeppos & Associates, Inc., AMCORE Bank; Intrgre Advertising by Design; 5th Floor Recording Company; Plum Moving Media, and Hydrite Chemical.

The 2008 Honorary Co-Chairs included Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett; former Wauwatosa Mayor Theresa Estness; WISN-TV news commentator and Marquette University distinguished fellow Mike Gousha, WISN TV 12 anchor Kathy Mykleby, Wisconsin State Representative Jim Ott, and WISN TV 12 reporter Colleen Henry.

The event is held in memory of Garbarino Cullen’s late husband, Steve Cullen, a Milwaukee alderman who died of a heart attack at age 40. His father at age 41, and two brothers, ages 53 and 51, also died of heart disease.