One man and relay supporters will run over 500 miles of ultramarathons to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and raise awareness about cancer.
San Diego, Calif.; On January 1st, 2010, veteran marathoner Mike Sheehy and his Relay Support Team will run from San Diego to Phoenix, covering an ultra-marathon distance of 31 miles each day for 17 consecutive days to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). The Cures Rock! Tour will push out from Cancer Survivors Park in downtown San Diego to do an extraordinary feat, all in the name of curing blood cancers. Sheehy and the Relay Run Team supporters will finish the 500-mile trek by running in the 2010 P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon and Dean Karnazes Rock ‘n’ Roll Ultra on January 17th.”The Cures Rock! Tour is a mission – and not just a one time mission – to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on educating others about new treatments and patient care for cancer survivorship,” says Greg Dowell, tour spokesperson. “We’re hoping that by running through 44 cities and two states in 17 days, we’ll raise a few supporters.”
Nearly 140,000 cases of blood cancer are diagnosed in the United States annually, accounting for 9.5% of all cancer deaths. The Tour is aiming to raise $100,000 to support cancer research and health management resources for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) while raising awareness of blood disorders.
“I began this journey in 2006 when my co-worker Julie Westcott was diagnosed with Leukemia. I set out to raise a few bucks for the LLS with ‘Team in Training’ for Julie. She got well, then relapsed, and my passion to help find a cure is now 100 percent stronger,” says Mike Sheehy, the runner that will complete the journey. “As grueling as 17 ultra-marathons will be, it’s not close to the challenge cancer patients, like Julie, face in chemotherapy.”Team members will work with LLS to visit patient families and cancer care hospitals along the route to Phoenix to provide support for those impacted by blood cancer, and the staff of doctors and nurses fighting the disease. Team members are either survivors of cancer themselves or personally connected to the cause through family members and friends.
The Tour will cover 31-mile (50K) segments from San Diego through Carlsbad, Temecula, Beaumont, Palm Springs, Yucca Valley and through Twenty Nine Palms. Crossing the desert along California Route 62, the Cures Rock! Tour will enter the Grand Canyon State at Parker, Arizona, then head east through Salome, Buckeye, Avondale and into the Valley of the Sun for the final three days in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Cures Rock! Tour will champion the Cures Rock! mission, an organization founded by Julie Westcott to break down global silos and inspire those impacted by cancer around the world. In response to why the team is beginning the Tour on New Year's Day, Westcott says, "By 2010, cancer will be the #1 global cause of death. The Cures Rock! Ultra Run Tour is starting on the #1 day of 2010, going toe-to-toe fighting cancer, one mile at a time."
Pictured:
Pic #1: Cures Rock! Tour - Relay Support Team (from L to R): Colin Eckleman, Jennifer Reardon, Suzanne Ellard, Mike Sheehy, Julie Westcott, Angie VanderBurgh, Greg Dowell and Bill Martin
Pic #2: Mike Sheehy (Ultramarathoner of Cures Rock! Tour) with Julie Westcott (Founder, Cures Rock!)
About Cures Rock!
Cures Rock! is a growing, grassroots organization that advocates and fund raises for cancer charities to fight to find a cure for cancer. The group works to break down global silos and stigmas around cancer, creates awareness about the disease in young adults, and inspires those impacted by the cancer through extreme/endurance sports, music and online social media.
The Cures Rock! Tour is an awareness and fundraising event, encouraging donations to LLS through their web site: http://www.CuresRockTour.com. Current sponsors include ProFlowers, Smart and Final, Running Center, DJO and Holiday Inn Resort: Palm Springs.
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/CuresRock
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/CuresRock
Blog: www.CuresRock.org
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ® (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
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Wow this is amazing. Its so nice to know there are people who are so dedicated to help others! Keep it up! This page is amazing! I might link it to mine. Im starting a year devoted to Childhood Cancer Awareness. Keep Smiling!!!
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