Always Has A Smile!

In 2008, Melvyn Attfield’s world was shaken when a routine medical check-up revealed that he had an unusual blood disorder, one that often leads to multiple myeloma. Confronted with the diagnosis, Melvyn was spurred to action. “This has energized me to run and to get involved in my kids’ lives,” he says. “I’ve made the conscious choice to be happy every day and to do everything I can to help find a cure.”

Melvyn is currently in the smoldering phase of the disease, but that hasn’t kept him from running marathons; he’s completed 10, and the NYC marathon will be his 11^th! The way he tackles race after race despite the difficulties brought on by cancer can only be described as inspiring, as his son-in-law Peter Bissel can attest. “If he can face this disease head on, while dealing with lots of hospital visits, various testing, and experimental treatments that fatigue him, and STILL run marathon after marathon, then surely I can step up and [run a marathon],” says Peter, who will run with Melvyn in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC this October. Melvyn runs for himself and for other myeloma patients, but most importantly, he runs for his wife, his children and his soon-to-be grandchildren. It is his love for his family that drives him to do all he can to find a cure.

"Rouse's Racers" at the 2011 Chicago Half Marathon

Brad and Erica Shearn are trying their darndest to get to a cure for Multiple Myeloma as fast as possible.  This year, Brad is doing the Marine Corps Marathon, and Erica and Erica’s brother David Rouse, will be doing the 10K on October 28^th to support Erica’s dad Mike, who was diagnosed with MM 2 years ago.  Mike is the rock of their family and so this is not the Shearns first time with the MMRF PowerTeam to support him.  In 2011, Brad did the NYC Marathon and Erica did the Chicago Half Marathon, and Erica had only been running for less than a year when she signed up for the MMRF team!

Brad, Erica, David, and their team of Rouse’s Racers, who participate in many races throughout each year to show their support, are confident that their efforts will translate to a cure sooner.  As they state it, “they are honored to run for a man that has demonstrated amazing resolve and strength his entire life, but most especially the past 2 years since his diagnosis”. 

Although they live in Chicago and Mike lives in New Jersey, they consider running for the MMRF Endurance Team and raising money to fight this disease as one of the best ways they have been able to show their support, even from across the country….and they have been “blown away” by the generosity of their family and friends.   To date, they are the biggest fundraisers for the MMRF Marine Corps team, having raised over $6000. 



Anthony Brings Some Fun to DC!

Having fun at the 2011 NYC Marathon!

Anthony Williams was first introduced to the MMRF and its work through Geoffrey Glass, who has participated in numerous PowerTeam events in the past and whose enthusiasm for helping others is contagious! After learning about the foundation, Anthony discovered that a good friend of his had a relative with multiple myeloma, and knowing a patient who would benefit from the support he raised made the experience just that much more personal. Anthony and Geoff are two good-hearted guys looking to make a difference, and the way their enthusiasm shines makes it nearly impossible not to catch the spirit!

Tonya and Susan- Different States, Same Cause!

Tonya Lauridsen met Susan Risking in 2008 when Susan was training for the Boston Marathon, and in no time the two were fast friends- and fast running partners! Susan was running for her father, a myeloma patient, and she introduced Tonya to the MMRF and its mission. Tonya and Susan ran the Boston Marathon together, and when the time came for her to choose a charity to partner with for the Marine Corps Marathon, there was no doubt in Tonya’s mind that the MMRF was the right one! Tonya has missed running with Susan since moving to DC two years ago, but she won’t be running alone. Tonya is running with her cousin Ali, a newbie to distance running, and the two are having a great time training together! Susan’s gracious family and their enthusiastic support for the MMRF inspired Tonya to join the cause, and she is still running with us, never having forgotten her old running buddy!

Team BTHOMM

Darrie, Deborah and Deana

We didn’t see the last of Team BTHOMM (Beat the Hell Outta Multiple Myeloma) at the 2011 Chicago Marathon- they’re back again for more at the 2012 Marine Corps Marathon! Debora Dietzler started running for the MMRF when her sister Deanna was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the April of 2011.  Already she’s about to run her second marathon for her sister! Call her crazy, but there is no denying how much Barbara loves her sister and how determined she is to help. “I WILL NOT STOP until there is a cure!!!” says Debora. Now that’s the spirit!

Team Miller Runs Again!

The Miller "Cheerleaders"

Trish and Howard Miller are running the Marine Corps Marathon to honor both their moms, Maureen and Mary Anne, who passed away from multiple myeloma. “During their respective battles with multiple myeloma, Maureen and Mary Anne showed tremendous courage, a pervading sense of optimism, and incredible dignity,” says Trish. “Our hope is to continue that legacy.” Their four young children remember their grandmothers, and they understand the significance of their parents’ run. “We have sort of become a 'running family' and the kids are great cheerleaders!” Trish and Howard both ran the NYC Marathon last fall for the MMRF, which fell on the anniversary of Trish's mom’s death. The Millers will continue the tradition of running for their mom’s in the years to come. Trish says, “I plan to sign up for 1 MMRF endurance event a year to raise money for them until I am too old, or a cure is found- whichever comes first!”

"Faith Makes Things Possible"

R to L, Bethy, Megan's Mom and Megan
at the 2010 Race for Research

Megan Parker “wasn’t a runner at all” until her mom was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. This Is Megan’s first marathon, and she remembers her mom “wasn’t much or a runner or even a sports lady, for that matter.” “I’m pretty sure she would have hesitations about me taking on a marathon if she was still down here,” she says. Megan’s mom’s diagnosis brought new kinds of uncertainty and fear to Megan and her family, but it was faith in God that brought her family together and allowed them to support one another with love. Megan is a fan of quotes, and though she admits that a quote alone won’t sustain her for the 26.2 miles, her “race mantra” is: “Faith makes things possible, not easy.” Megan never would have guessed she could run a marathon or that her family would get through her mom’s diagnosis and her passing, but she knows that with faith, anything is possible.