Registering for the Alton Miles for Meso 5K is a great way to show support for loved ones who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. But not everyone can travel to be at the Alton race on Sept. 26.
This year the ADAO Mesothelioma Warrior Virtual Team will once again accept submissions of the names of mesothelioma survivors or victims. The purpose of this team is to honor or remember those who have fought hard against the disease. Names will be featured on commemorative race bibs and will be worn by runners in attendance at the upcoming Alton Miles for Meso race on Sept. 26 in Alton, IL.
This week’s Miles for Meso Spotlight tells the story of Mike Mattmuller, a Simmons Hanly Conroy client in Maryland, who was a member of last year’s ADAO Mesothelioma Warrior Virtual Team.
Mike was diagnosed in 2011 with mesothelioma at age 29. Considering his young age, he and his wife Jessica were shocked by the diagnosis. Mike underwent an extrapleural pneumonectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of his left lung and the lining of the lung. He also underwent several chemotherapy treatments. Since 2012, he has remained cancer free.
“Once we got past the denial and all the anger, we knew we had to do something,” Jessica said when describing her husband’s journey with ADAO.
Last year, Mike signed up for the ADAO Mesothelioma Warrior Virtual Team, which is free. His commemorative bib was worn by his attorney, Simmons Hanly Conroy Partner Taylor Kerns and his investigator. Mike wasn’t the only one in his family to join in on virtual team festivities. His wife Jessica is a volunteer for ADAO and designed the graphics for ADAO Mesothelioma Warrior Virtual Team.
If you can’t attend the Alton race on Sept. 26, you can still get involved and show your support for people impacted by mesothelioma like Mike in one of two ways.
First, you can submit a name of someone who was diagnosed with mesothelioma to the ADAO Mesothelioma Warrior Virtual Team. That person will receive a commemorative race bib with their name. A runner of the Alton race will also wear their bib on race day.
Click here to submit a name >>>
Second, you can also register for the virtual race. It costs $25 and, for your support, you will receive a Miles for Meso race shirt to wear on Sept. 26. Then, just take a picture of yourself on race day and share it with the hashtag #milesformeso to help spread awareness in honor of National Mesothelioma Awareness Day.
Click here to start the registration process now >>>
All registration proceeds from the Alton race, including the virtual race, will benefit ADAO.
