Under sunny skies and filled with community spirit, The Gathering Place welcomed more than 2,700 people to Race for the Place, its signature fundraising event held at Beachwood Place on National Cancer Survivors Day. This annual tradition brought together cancer survivors, families, caregivers, and supporters for a day of remembrance, resilience, and renewal.
The event raised over $360,000, with donations continuing to come in toward the organization’s $415,000 goal. Proceeds support The Gathering Place’s free programs and services -including nutrition and exercise classes, art and music programming, support groups, and educational programs—for children, teens, adults, and families coping with the impact of cancer.
“Participants often tell us, ‘The hospital saved my life—The Gathering Place saved my soul.’ Race Day is a special opportunity to honor those we've walked beside on their cancer journeys,” said Michele Seyranian, CEO of The Gathering Place. “We’re deeply grateful to our sponsors and this incredible community. Without their generosity and engagement, none of this would be possible.”
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A Community United in Hope
The morning began with a moving Survivor Ceremony, honoring individuals across all stages of survivorship-from less than a year to more than 20 years. Participants then took part in a 5K run and 1-mile walk, followed by a heartwarming gathering in Celebration Village.
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This year’s Race also marked the official kickoff of The Gathering Place’s 25th anniversary, celebrating a quarter-century of compassionate, free support for those impacted by cancer.
“As we mark 25 years of The Gathering Place,” said Seyranian, “I’m reminded that while hospitals treat the body, we help heal the soul. Race for the Place is a powerful reminder that no one should face cancer alone—and thanks to this community, they don’t.”
Real Voices: Alice’s Story
One of the most inspiring moments of the day came from Alice Santurri, a 10-year metastatic breast cancer survivor and active participant in The Gathering Place’s Metastatic Group and Dragon Boat team.
“I’m a wife, mother, aunt, sister, daughter… and I have metastatic breast cancer. I say it in that order because I have cancer, but it doesn’t have me. I come first before cancer!"
I was diagnosed de novo in 2015. While the average survival is under three years, I’m still here-10 years later. The Gathering Place has given me hope, support, resources, and friends. I wouldn’t be thriving if it weren’t for this place.”
Celebration Village: A Space for All
After the Race, participants enjoyed Celebration Village-a joyful and inclusive space filled with food trucks, balloon artists, face painting, and a community mural led by the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Studio Go. A Remembrance Activity invited guests to plant forget-me-nots in honor of loved ones lost to cancer.
“Whether you’ve been with us for one day or 25 years,” Seyranian shared, “today is a celebration of what’s possible when people come together with love, compassion, and a mission that truly matters.”
Sponsors and Ongoing Support
Lead sponsors for this year’s Race included:
Parker Hannifin, Benesch, Dworken & Bernstein, Swagelok, Ancora, Bolton Pratt, Case Western Reserve University Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, NovaCare Rehabilitation, Peoples Bank, Reserve Management Group, and SITE Centers.
The community can continue to support The Gathering Place through the end of June by donating at racefortheplace.org.
The Celebration Continues
The 25th anniversary celebration continues throughout the year, culminating in a special anniversary gala on April 18, 2026, at the InterContinental Hotel Cleveland.
If you would like to help The Gathering Place achieve its goal of $415,000, please go to Race for the Place 2025 website to contribute: racefortheplace.org.