ALTON, Ill. – Simmons Hanly Conroy, a national leader in the legal representation of mesothelioma patients and their families, is proud to announce that its 13th Annual Alton Miles for Meso 5K Race and 3K Fun Run/Walk on Sep. 25 raised $38,000 for the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), a national nonprofit dedicated to securing a U.S. ban on asbestos and supporting families impacted by asbestos-related diseases.
“I am blown away by the incredible amount of support and advocacy on display in this year’s Alton Miles for Meso 5K,” said ADAO President Linda Reinstein. “The funds Miles for Meso generated will enable us to achieve our goals of helping families affected by asbestos, raising awareness about this lethal mineral and supporting our important advocacy work in securing a U.S. ban on asbestos.”
Nearly 1,000 people across America — and in Canada, Australia and South Africa — participated in the race, which was held virtually for the second consecutive year. Twenty-seven states were represented in the race, with runners in Illinois, California, Florida, Maine and everywhere in between. On social media, participants used the hashtag #milesformeso to boost asbestos awareness and share photos of the event.
“We are thrilled with the tremendous outpouring of support Miles for Meso received this year,” said Todd Adamitis, Miles for Meso Committee Chair and Simmons Hanly Conroy’s Chief Operations Officer. “The generosity, heart and drive of our donors, sponsors, volunteers and everyone else who participated in this event cannot be overstated.”
Simmons Hanly Conroy is extremely grateful to all of our fundraisers, and to every donor who contributed to this vital cause.
Thirty fundraising teams and individuals collectively raised $12,865 of this year’s total donations, with the rest from registrations and Simmons Hanly Conroy. The top fundraising team was Georgie Porgie’s Meso Patrol, with $2,537.55. Georgie Porgie’s Meso Patrol fundraised in memory of George Dreith, from Godfrey, Illinois, who passed away from mesothelioma in 2015.
Captain Bob’s Warriors finished second, with $614.93 raised in honor of Robert (Bob) Oakes, a U.S. Navy veteran who passed away from mesothelioma in 2017. Third place went to Gucci Gavel Gang, with $575.73 raised. (The ADAO’s fundraising team, ADAO Ban Asbestos, collected $1,806.33 but is not eligible for a fundraising award.)
The top individual fundraisers were Evan Allgood ($1,192.37), Alison Dreith ($1,180.86) and Chelsea Gunlock ($564.23). The top donors were The Amento Family and Gianaris Kids, each with $533.35.
Regarding 5K race times, Andrew Murrie, of Clayton, Missouri, placed first overall in the men’s race with a time of 18:20. Kimberly Petrillo, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, placed first overall in the women’s division with a time of 25:31. Everyone who ran or walked in the 5K or 3K received a “Lucky 13” participation medal, in addition to a long-sleeve T-shirt and goodie bag.
Since 2009, thousands of participants at Miles for Meso events in Ohio, Washington, Texas, Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Washington state, Missouri, Indiana and New York have raised more than $800,000 through a combination of registration fees, personal donations, team fundraising and corporate donations.
The Ohio race — the Bruce A. Waite 5K — celebrated its tenth year this year, with more than 250 participants. The event has cumulatively raised over $90,000 in memory of Ohio native, high school teacher and avid runner Bruce Waite, who passed away from mesothelioma in 2003.
Simmons Hanly Conroy thanks the sponsors whose support allows Miles for Meso to remain successful and impactful every year. This year’s Alton sponsors included Diamond Sponsors: BDO (Stone Carlie), The Bridge Church, Classic Graphics, First Mid Bank & Trust, Jenner & Block, Lockton Companies, Paszkiewicz Court Reporting & Records Retrieval, Pohlman USA and Sokolove Law; Platinum Sponsors: Acropolis Technology Group and Asbestos.com; Gold Sponsors: A.R. Deahl Construction, Dwyer Cleaning, Impact Strategies and Kiku Obata; Silver Sponsors: Holland Construction Services, Pass Security and the St. Louis/Southern Illinois Labor Tribune; and Bronze Sponsors: Covene LLC and Office Essentials.
Save the date — next year’s race is scheduled for Sep. 24, 2022.
About the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is the largest independent asbestos victims’ organization in the United States. It was founded in 2004 to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice, to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and to work toward a global asbestos ban. The ADAO is dedicated to preventing asbestos-caused diseases through national and international education, advocacy and community initiatives.
For more information, visit http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/
About Miles for Meso
Miles for Meso is an initiative of the SHC Foundation that was established in 2009 to raise funds for and awareness of mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Miles for Meso races have been held across the country, in Illinois, Florida, Washington state, Maine, Missouri, Ohio, Virginia, Indiana, New York, Texas and Pennsylvania. Together, Miles for Meso events sponsored by Simmons Hanly Conroy have raised more than $850,000 to benefit mesothelioma research and awareness.
For more information, visit https://www.milesformesothelioma.org/
