The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas raised an impressive $101,472 for the UNLV Cancer Institute despite the economic effects of September 11th.

Executives from the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas recently presented a check to the UNLV Foundation that will be used for research at the UNLV Cancer Institute. The gift represents the proceeds from the second annual Terry Fox Gala and 5K Fun Run and Walk that was held in November.

"UNLV is pleased to have such wonderful support from the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas," said UNLV President Carol C. Harter. "This is an excellent example of a successful community partnership. The Four Seasons is to be commended for its tremendous support and corporate citizenship. This money will help the Cancer Institute continue its very worthwhile research in finding a cure for cancer."

Organizers were concerned that the success of the event would suffer due to the economic conditions and massive fundraising as a result of the September 11th terrorist attacks.

The committee was pleased with the overwhelming support that Las Vegas residents showed for the event, said Dave Sullivan, director of human resources at the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas and chairman of the local Terry Fox event committee.

More than 200 people attended the gala event and silent auction at the Four Seasons. More than 250 people participated in the 5K run and walk.

"We had a goal of $200,000 before September 11," he said. "After that, we were pretty discouraged. So we reset the goal to $100,000 and were able to exceed it. It was a lot of hard work, but it was well worth it."

Every year, each of the 50 Four Seasons hotels and resorts in 19 countries, hosts a run in honor of Terry Fox, a young Canadian who lost his leg to cancer when he was 18 years old. In 1980, Fox ran his "Marathon of Hope" to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. He ran across Canada using an artificial leg, running 26 miles each day. After 143 days and 3,339 miles, he was forced to quit as the cancer had spread through his body.

Since Four Seasons began this event, more than $250 million has been raised for cancer research. All proceeds from these events remain in the community in which they are raised to benefit a local organization that is conducting innovative cancer research.

"We are committed to seeing the Cancer Institute prosper," Sullivan said. "We are glad to be able to keep the funds in our own backyard. We are going to keep doing this event each year until a cure for cancer is found."

The event raised about $100,000 for the UNLV Cancer Institute last year as well.

The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also provided a substantial in-kind contribution through its underwriting of food and beverage related expenses associated with the weekend of events.