2012 Race for Hope Ambassadors announced - Race for Hope 9-15-2012

Today the June E. Nylen Cancer Center officially announced the ambassadors for the 16th annual 2012 Race for Hope. Register for the race here. George Glass (right), 34, a thyroid cancer survivor, was named Race Ambassador, and Reed Eckert, 13, is the race's Youth Ambassador.The two were announced in a ceremony at the Adams Homestead & Nature Preserve in McCook Lake, S.D., where the annual fall event takes place.Jean Gill, long-time race director, made the announcement, with the 2011 ambassadors - Dennis Gann and youth ambassador Sam McGowan - on hand to pass the batton to the new race leaders.The event is set for Sept. 15 and helps fund activities, new equipment and support programs for the Nylen Cancer Center. In 2011, more than $44,000 was raised as more than 700 runners, walkers and cancer survivors took part in the eventIn 2011, Glass discovered a goiter on his neck, and went to see his doctor. "I got a CT scan and they found a growth on the right side of my thyroid. We immediately had it removed."As of June 13, Glass said, he received a bill of good health from his endocrinologist.For years, Glass said he ran the annual Race for Hope just to support the Cancer Center. But this year's event has a whole new meaning. "Being chosen as this year's race ambassador is very honorable and a very humbling experience. I really hope I can make this one of the best years."Glass, a Sioux City firefighter, said he's excited to give back to the community and those that need help. "I'm running in honor of some guys on the fire department who had cancer and beat it, and also running for a friend who had melanoma."Eckert, the son of City Manager Paul Eckert and his wife, Julie, started his fight with cancer as a second grader when a series of seizures led to the discovery that he had a tumor. He underwent brain surgery in Iowa City and radiation treatments for three months in Boston.Now, years later, he says he hopes he can bring inspiration to young people. "I hope to get more youth involved," Eckert said." I want to involve everybody, even little kids, and encourage teens to be involved in the race."The two ambassadors both said they are excited to represent the Nylen Cancer Center in such an important community event.