2006 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Runners “Sharing Hope” Through Their Gift of Endurance

Des Plaines, IL (PRWEB) September 27, 2006 -- In addition to the 3 helicopters; 72 time clocks; 225 massage therapists; 10,000 volunteers; 51,984 gallons of natural spring water; and 1,462,500 paper cups that will be required to ensure the success of this year’s marathon, there will also be 105 runners representing the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA). These 105 individuals will constitute an important part of the 40,000 athletes competing in The 29th LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon -- for through their efforts they are quickly approaching their goal to raise $100,000 for the ABTA. The money raised will help the ABTA in its ongoing work to eliminate brain tumors, and support the families and patients of those enduring the challenges associated with the treatment of this disease.

For the second year in a row Mark Baemmert and his “vertically challenged legs” have persevered through the challenging summer of intense training in order to build the endurance necessary to run the marathon on behalf of ABTA. Mark was diagnosed with a brain tumor at an early age, and attributes the fact that he has been able to live a “mostly normal life” to a surgery he underwent to have a shunt placed in his head, which at the time was considered to be new technology. “This is the reason I am running the marathon ... to benefit the ABTA. This organization supports research for new technologies that combat brain tumors.” Mark is also on the verge of reaching his fundraising goal of $1,500 with nearly 90 percent of the funds already raised and his success, much like his successful completion of last year’s marathon, appears imminent.

40-year-old Jason Griffin says he “is just trying to finish.” However, based upon his successful fundraising campaign, (his goal is to raise $7,000 and currently he has raised total donations of over $6,000) his motivation to successfully finish this year’s marathon should not be questioned. Neither should his positive outlook or desire to help others. In 2001 he underwent a successful surgery for a benign brain tumor which left him without a pituitary gland, however five years later, he is doing quite well and is running 26.2 miles for other individuals who have to face the struggle of treating brain tumors. This includes his cousin Jessica who is currently undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, as well as in the memory of his friend Mary Beth who died from brain cancer. “The ABTA is a worthy, under-funded, charitable cause that’s very special to me. Over 90 percent of funds received go to research and patient service programs with less than 10 percent spent on fundraising and administration.”

Lynne Siegel is running The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon for two important reasons; to raise funds for the ABTA, and to memorialize her father Shelly Lewis who was diagnosed with a brain tumor on August 10, 2005. Her father died three and a half months later, but he fully lived his last few months with “a tremendous amount of hope, courage, and dignity.” Lynne’s father was a strong motivator throughout her life, and the ABTA is now grateful that she has been able to focus her motivation, not only upon the grueling training required to prepare for the marathon, but also on the attention necessary to organize her successful fundraising campaign. Her goal was to raise $5,000, and she has already surpassed this by raising over $6,100.

On October 22, 2006 40,000 runners, representing all 50 states and more than 120 countries, will leave Grant Park just north of Buckingham Fountain racing north along Columbus Drive through Old Town, Lincoln Park, and Wrigleyville. All of these runners will be relying upon the endurance of their hearts, legs, and minds in order to continue the race through Greektown, Pilsen, Bridgeport, and the South Loop before heading back downtown along South Michigan Avenue and reaching the dramatic finish back in Grant Park, just south of Buckingham Fountain. 105 of these runners have trained hard not just to compete in The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, but in order to pledge all that they have trained so hard to build: their stamina, their drive, and their endurance to the ABTA and those who this charitable organization works so tirelessly to help.

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