| I am running this marathon in honor of Gerald Luff, the father of childhood friends Jeff, Kelly and Jerry Luff, a family I grew up with in New Canaan. Mr. Luff was diagnosed with multiple myeloma eight years ago and recently passed after a valiant fight against the disease. In addition to Mr. Luff I will also be running in support of Deirdre Burke, a friend’s sister who was also recently diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma.
I was honored to be asked to be the coach of the new MMRF marathon team last year, helping runners across the country train for numerous marathons and half marathons while raising money for this great cause.
I have run over 50 marathons and ultramarathons yet this one will be extremely special, running in honor of Mr. Luff and Deirdre and helping to raise money and awareness of this disease. The MMRF has made incredible strides in research and treatment and the money raised truly makes an incredible impact.
As the world's number-one funder of multiple myeloma research, the MMRF has raised close to $100 million to fund 70 laboratories worldwide.
The MMRF is making things happen NOW: four new treatment advances — Thalomid®, Velcade®, Revlimid®, and Doxil® — have helped extend the life expectancy of myeloma patients from four years to almost seven .
Because of their success in treating multiple myeloma patients, these drugs are now being explored as treatment for 19 other cancers as well.
94% of the funds raised by MMRF go directly to support research and related programming.
As evidence of the MMRF's exceptional fiscal responsibility, the MMRF has earned an A+ rating from the American Institutes of Philanthropy, a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, compliance with the Better Business Bureau's (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance standards for charity accountability, and approval from the National Cancer Institute for it research grant program. The MMRF is the world's only non-profit organization to have been recognized with these prestigious designations.
YOUR EFFORTS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! |
