Racing to Raise Awareness for Brain Tumor Research

South San Francisco, Calif., October 10, 2007 –Kovarus, Inc., and a consortium of Bay Area supporters are joining forces in an effort to raise awareness in the fight against brain tumors. More than 200,000 individuals in the U.S. and Canada are diagnosed with a brain tumor each year. The Kovarus’ sponsored Northern California “Racing for Research” (RCR) cycling teams’ efforts will benefit the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA), a leading nonprofit organization responsible for raising funds for brain tumor research and heightening awareness about this disease. With the beginning of the 2008 cycling season only three months away, the team is reflecting on the success of the 2007 season and looking forward to the coming year. 

“Malignant brain tumors can be diagnosed in children, adults, and seniors.  This disease  continues to have very low survival rates despite the best efforts of the medical community,” said Mike Sharkey, president of the ABTA. "We are proud to partner with Kovarus, and the 18 individuals that comprise this elite cycling team, in our effort to find effective treatments for all brain tumors.” 

Kovarus was approached by a member of the Northern California competitive racing team in 2006 to help sponsor the teams’ charity efforts. “When I heard that the funding raised would be going to brain tumor research, I was immediately on board,” said Peter Castaldi, principal of Kovarus. “In 2000, my nephew was diagnosed with a brain tumor. In the years that followed, I have watched my family struggle to come to terms with his diagnosis and have seen first hand my nephew endure endless surgeries. If it were not for organizations like the ABTA and T4T cycling, I’m not sure children like my nephew would have the fighting chance they deserve.”

David Ridder, the team captain commented, "In 2004, my close friend Tom Tucker was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Two years later, we began T4T cycling and have partnered with several organizations like Kovarus to raise money and raise awareness for brain tumor research through athletic endeavors. We are proud of what we have accomplished, but know there is much more work to be done. Together, we can work toward a cure.”

About American Brain Tumor Association
The American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) is a not-for-profit, independent organization. Not affiliated with any one institution, they serve individuals globally and award funds to researchers throughout the United States and Canada. Founded in 1973 out of a desperate need, the American Brain Tumor Association exists to eliminate brain tumors through research and to meet the needs of brain tumor patients and their families. For more information, please visit www.abta.org. 

About Kovarus
Kovarus, Inc., is a premier technology consulting firm, specializing in data center design, implementation, and optimization. With its extensive industry expertise and proven methodologies, Kovarus helps companies align IT with strategic business goals and maximize their return on technology investments. Kovarus' unique ability to converge virtualization, storage, and networking technologies gives its clients a distinct operational advantage, enabling them to improve the efficiency, performance, and agility of service delivery. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, the company was founded in 2003 and has been chosen as a premier partner by leading technology companies including VMware, EMC, and Cisco. More information on Kovarus is available at www.kovarus.com or 650-392-7848.

###

Contact:
Sophia Le
Kovarus, Inc.
sle@kovarus.com
650-392-8367