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.

Eternally Grateful

When Andrew McVey’s father was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1995, he was told he had a %50 chance of living more than two years. Thanks to advances in treatment made possible by the MMRF, his father was able to beat the odds and lived a full decade after his diagnosis. “The MMRF gave him a new lease on life,” Andrew said. “The advances in treatment extended Dad’s life, and gave him good quality of life… I am eternally grateful to the MMRF!” With his run, Andrew is helping patients like his dad by supporting research that helps extend patients’ lives and give them hope for a cure! 

Peter Runs with Melvyn!

Peter Bissell’s is running the Marine Corps Marathon for his father-in-law, Melvyn Attfield, who will be running the race right alongside him!  Fundraising for the first time and running 26.2 miles sometimes seems intimidating, but when Peter thinks of Melvyn and the obstacles he continues to face- and overcome- he realizes he can achieve his goals. "If [Melvyn] 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 do this,” Peter said. The marathon is one challenge the two friends will face and conquer together, as they continue to inspire strength in one another.

Achieving a Life Goal- Helping Others!

Geoffrey Glass first began running for charities in 2006 at the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, and since then he has selflessly given of his time, fundraising efforts and money to many different charitable organizations. In 2010 he rounded up many of his fellow employees at Patheon to join him at NYC Marathon.  He challenged corporate rival Aptuit to do the same, and approached the  MMRF to hold a contest to see which company could raise the most money for their respective charity.   (Patheon won).  Patheon ran for The Hole in the Wall.  Aptuit ran for MMRF.

Geoff is pictured above (L)  with Rob Lucas, then VP of Development for MMRF. On the right is Colin Terry, his counterpart who lead the team from Aptuit.  The following year, Geoff decided to move his team over to the MMRF and run the Chicago Marathon where they raised $16,000.  

This year, the Patheon team is ten strong, and is running MCM.  Included on the team is Colin Terry, who no longer works for Aptuit, but wanted to join Geoff this time as a team member. 

As a member of the MMRF PowerTeam, Geoff  achieves his fitness goals as well as his greater life goal of helping others. "Crossing the finish line of a marathon is an amazing experience EVERY time," he says. "Doing it knowing that people have supported you and that you've helped make a difference for a group in need is even more meaningful for me." 

The MMRF thanks Geoff for his continued support and for inspiring so many others to not only run a marathon, but to use that experience to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients.

A Son Overseas

Ed Kennedy was deployed in Afghanistan when he found out his father had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Being away from home and his family made the news just that much more difficult, and two years later in 2006, while deployed in Iraq, Ed received a message that his father was not going to make it. Within 24 hours he was back in the States and by his father’s side. During Ed’s visit, his father regained enough strength to spend time with his son outside the hospital; he even drove him to the airport to see him off again! The emergency was frightening, but it got Ed home to see his father. Sadly, 1 month later, while Ed was still overseas, his father passed away. Ed says his father was “an amazing man,” who was always there for his kids, no matter the occasion. “Even the Annapolis graduate that he was cheered for Army the four years I was a cadet at West Point,” he remembers. Ed continues to honor his father’s memory, not only with this race, but as he strives to emulate his father in his life, especially as a father to his own children.

Running For a Hero

Marty's Hero: Her Husband Vinnie!

Marty Timpano regards her husband Vinnie as a true hero. Vinnie served 9 years as a Naval Combat Air Crewman in Vietnam, during which time he was exposed to ionizing radiation, in addition to chemical compounds presumed by the US government to cause multiple myeloma. Vinnie was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in January of 2011, but that didn't slow him down; he continued to work in construction during his treatment, and he even returned to work just 3 weeks after receiving a bone marrow transplant. Her husband’s bravery, determination and resilience following his diagnosis make him a true hero in Marty’s eyes, and she is happy to support him at the NYC Triathlon.