Three Bridgewater, NJ Moms fundraising to fight cancer:

 

 

Three Bridgewater Moms kicked off the "Traveling Charity Bowl" to fundraise for their "Cancer Stinks-Flush It" charity.  "Cancer Stinks-Flush It" is the name of the joint charity initiative that was started by three Bridgewater, NJ moms, Gemma Altobelli, Natalie Shafer & Stacey Krizan  The charity proceeds will benefit 3 charities: Zero Cancer (Prostate Cancer), MMRF (multiple myeloma research foundation), and Team Continuum (which supports any cancer patients through their treatment process).  Natalie Shafer is running the NYC Marathon for the MMRF. 

They started the "Traveling Charity Bowl" to bring awareness to their campaign locally and to raise money.  The toilet bowl was creatively painted by artist Rachel Cronin of Love Blossoms.  This charity bowl will travel to various lawns of Bridgewater and other local neighborhoods.  If you see it, please stop and donate by making a monetary contribution inside the toilet bowl drop box.  To find out more information, please look for "Cancer Stinks-Flush It" on facebook, and "like" us and "friend" us.  We greatly appreciate the support of our generous lawn hosts and for all the neighbors who donate to support our cause.

Coming from "Down Under" to run the NYC Marathon!!

 

When people with a connection to Multiple Myeloma want to channel their energy into an athletic event and also fundraise for landmark research, the MMRF PowerTeam has access to some of the best and most exclusive race entries.  These opportunities are not only for those individuals with a connection to Myeloma, but sometimes also for athletes, who just want to participate in legendary races.  Aaron Patterson is one of the MMRF NYC Marathon PowerTeam members, travelling all the way from Western Australia (!) to run the marathon on November 4^th. 

Aaron does not have any direct connection to multiple myeloma, but he stated that running the NY Marathon gives him “the opportunity to raise some much-needed funds for a charity and make a difference to a complete stranger”.   Aaron describes the MMRF as a “standout charity” for him.  The ability to streamline the drug approval process and get treatments to patients in need in record time is a key aspect of the MMRF, and made him “feel like every dollar raised would go a long way!”

The MMRF is so incredibly grateful that there are people like Aaron, that want to participate in events like the NYC Marathon, and make such a huge difference in the lives of Myeloma patients and their families, continuing to instill hope towards finding treatments and a cure even faster. Thank you, Aaron!!!

Ben's Annual Tradition

This is Ben Strevens’ fourth year in a row running the NYC Marathon in honor of his mother, Anne Linford, and his uncle, Bob Linford. Anne was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2000, and in 2007, against all probability, Bob too was diagnosed. Ben runs annually for these two special people, both of whom demonstrated grace, courage and determination in their respective battles against the disease. Running the NYC Marathon has “become an annual tradition” for Ben, who has also participated in the Empire State Building Run-Up in years past. Though both Anne and Bob have passed, the vast progress that has been made in treating this disease gives Ben hope that keeps him running each year.

Amanda Runs for Those Who Can't

Amanda Glendinning changed her life through running, and she is taking on the NYC Marathon for those who cannot run, as she herself could not a few years ago. When she was 15, Amanda was diagnosed with lupus, and the painful disease severely limited her physical activity. Just a few years ago, she decided to take control of her life and become more active. In the process, she lost 83 pounds and she went from being unable to run more than 30 seconds to completing two marathons in two months! Today she is a much healthier, more satisfied person and her lupus is under control. She is thankful that last year’s NYC Marathon was her first, and not her last marathon with the MMRF PowerTeam. “I think those who came to the marathon can attest that I did not stop smiling the entire time that I ran it,” she says. “I ran it despite my lupus and despite the barriers that I've encountered. I ran it for those who cannot run. I ran because I have not been able to run in the past and I might not be able to run in the future…but I can run now.” There are still days when the lupus flares up, but inspired by the people she runs for, Amanda finds the strength to overcome it and press on.

A Great Cause and A Lot Of Fun!

Tim carrying his daughter across the finish line

No matter what race he tackles, New Yorker Tim Fallon never fails to amaze, surprise and entertain! A self-described “father/trader/triathlete,” Tim is always easy to spot in a crowd of athletes with his height, larger-than-life personality and, of course, his crazy costumes! In last year’s NYC Marathon, Tim was looking especially classy running 26.2 miles in a white tuxedo, and at this year’s NYC Half Marathon he was a man of steel in a full superman outfit! We don’t know what he will be dressed as this time, but Tim is never to be outdone. His penchant for theatrics and athletic drive are only matched by his enthusiasm for the MMRF, which is apparent each time he runs a race!

It All Started With Trying Something New...

For Jeremy Beer, “It all started with the Empire State Building Run Up.” Jeremy works for Celgene, a pharmaceutical company that works closely with the MMRF to develop and distribute treatments for multiple myeloma. Celgene is the national sponsor for the run up, and company employees were encouraged to field a team for the event. When no other employees signed up to represent the company, Jeremy, then a temp worker, stepped up to the challenge. Jeremy had a great time at the event, and he became more and more impressed with the MMRF as he learned more about it. So impressed, in fact, that he entered the Five Boro Bike Tour, the NYC Triathlon and the NYC Triathlon with the PowerTeam that same year! Through the events, Jeremy met several multiple myeloma patients who made him realize just how meaningful his racing was to them. Whenever training feels tough, he thinks of the struggles cancer patients face and how he’s helping them. “Someone at the NYC Marathon told me, ‘If you think running 26.2 miles is hard, try fighting cancer,'” he says. “When I think about that, my pain vanishes, my determination takes over, and I think if they can do it, I can do it.”

After Three Attempts, Debbie Will Finish!

This is the third time Debbie Jacob will attempt to run the NYC Marathon with the MMRF. When she attempted to run it in 2009, her husband’s multiple myeloma sent him to the hospital one week prior to the race. The next year, Debbie’s husband passed away 6 days before the race after 5 years of heroically battling the disease. Debbie is running the race for her husband, as well as the patients she helps every day as a nurse specializing in oncology. Finishing the race I her husband’s memory means everything to Debbie, after five years of seeing him fight the disease and two failed attempts to complete the race. This is Debbie’s third attempt at the NYC Marathon, and she is going to finish the race for her husband.