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.