A Year After Brother's Death, David Cook Raises $140K for Cancer Research

The Idol alum returns to a charity race for a cause that's close to his heart

Photo: Jeffrey Kolodin

One year after losing his brother Adam to a brain tumor, David Cook returned to a place – and a race – close to his heart.

In 2009, the American Idol winner served as grand marshal for the Race For Hope, which benefits the National Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure, despite his brother’s passing just one day before.

Returning to the annual 5K in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, Cook tells PEOPLE, “I came back because the cause is important to me and my family, as well as countless others. Brain tumors and brain cancer continues to be one of the most under-funded diseases.”

So the singer made sure to do his part, raising $140,000 with his team and fans as part of the $2.3 million the race earned overall.

And he didn’t just make a quick appearance at the race either. In addition to running it (“I’m still in the ‘as long as I finish’ mode,” he jokes of his time goal) Cook came in early to play in a charity golf event on Friday and stayed late, taking photos with every survivor at the race.

“The last year has been a process,” says the singer of coping with his brother’s death. “It’s all about perspective and remembering what Adam went through so we can work to help avoid anyone else having to do the same.”

For more information about the charity, visit curebraintumors.org.

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