The Simmons law firm is proud to announce its support of the Second Annual South Florida “Wishing Well” Miles for Meso 8K Run/Tribute Walk to benefit mesothelioma research. The firm is the national sponsor of Miles for Meso races across the country as part of its mission to help advance treatment options for mesothelioma patients and to advocate for a full federal ban of asbestos.
“As Miles for Meso enters its third year, the Simmons firm is proud to support race organizer and meso survivor Larry Davis and all the work he does to advocate on behalf of the mesothelioma community,” said Simmons firm COO Gregg Kirkland, who will run in the race. “Miles for Meso races continue to grow and improve, and we expect this year to be no different.”
This year, the course for the 2011 Wishing Well Miles for Meso has changed. Event coordinators extended the distance from 5K to 8K to bring the race in line with the national standard for collegiate cross country races. The decision was in keeping with Miles for Meso mission to attract professional runners while raising funds and awareness of mesothelioma, said Davis. A 4K tribute walk/run has also been added.
“Partnering with the Simmons firm and Miles for Meso has always been a pleasure,” Davis said. “I’m looking forward to having a great race this year and promoting more awareness of mesothelioma.”
The race, hosted by the Boca Raton Road Runners Miles for Meso club, kicks off Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, at Spanish River Park. Preregistration begins at 5:45 a.m. and both races start at 7:30 a.m.
In its first year, the South Florida Miles for Meso race raised more than $15,000 for mesothelioma research. Davis said he expects a strong turnout for the 4K Tribute walk and expects more than 350 total people to participate in the race.
“If you come to Miles for Meso you can expect to meet the greatest folks around South Florida who put their hearts and souls into bringing awareness to a misunderstood disease and have fun while doing it,” Davis said.
Every year 3,000 new Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure, which has no cure. Miles for Meso is a nationwide effort by runners, survivors, patients, their families, advocates and medical researchers to start a conversation about mesothelioma and the need for research. Davis said by working together, a cure will be found.
Miles for Meso races in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina and Florida have raised more than $100,000 for mesothelioma research since the program first started. This year one hundred percent of the funds raised at the South Florida race will benefit the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, the leading national non-profit organization dedicated to funding peer-reviewed research of mesothelioma and providing patient support programs for mesothelioma patients and their families.
To register visit http://www.accuchiptiming.com or http://www.active.com. The first 200 registrants via the Accuchip Timing site will win a pair of Tri Sport sunglasses. Visit http://www.southfloridamilesformeso.com to learn more, or visit http://www.milesformeso.org to find a Miles for Meso race near you.
About the Simmons firm:
The Simmons firm, headquartered in East Alton, Ill., is one of the country’s leading asbestos and mesothelioma litigation firms. With offices in Illinois, Missouri and California, the firm’s mesothelioma lawyers have represented over 2,000 patients and families affected by mesothelioma in every state. The Simmons firm has pledged over $15 million to cancer research and proudly supports mesothelioma medical researchers throughout the country in order to find a cure. For more information about the Simmons firm, visit http://www.simmonsfirm.com.
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