Don Wright, who lives in the greater Minneapolis area, is planning to run marathons in all 50 states. He is running despite the fact that he has had cancer for more than eight years. And despite the fact that he is 70 years old.
“Here I am living with cancer, and my biggest complaint is runner’s knee!”
Don began running marathons eight years ago, just as he was diagnosed with myeloma, and as of July 2011, he has run 54 marathons in 36 states. As Don races toward the New York City Marathon and beyond under his “E-Race Cancer” banner, he is running on behalf of the charity Team Continuum to raise funds and help pay essential cost-of-living bills for cancer patients (www.teamcotinuum.net).
Don is also running with the support of the Tackle Cancer Foundation in Dallas, to honor the memory of its founder, former NFL linebacker Elijah Alexander, who passed away from multiple myeloma. (www.tacklecancerfoundation.org).
Don’s cancer, myeloma, also called multiple myeloma, is a blood cancer that affects cells in the bone marrow and can damage bone. It cannot yet be cured. With new drugs and new treatments, it can be managed long term. Don is on an investigational new drug that may represent an even newer generation of treatment options for patients.
“I’m running with cancer, not from cancer—because living with myeloma is a marathon, not a sprint!” says Don. “I’m lucky—I take just a pill a day, so I am free to literally run around the country instead of being tied to a doctors’ office for traditional chemotherapy treatments, and I don’t have to deal with the side effects those treatments could bring.”
Don has never looked back since he began running marathons shortly after he was diagnosed with myeloma. In just eight years, Don has run over 1,400 miles. Don hopes his determination to complete marathons in all 50 states will inspire others living with cancer.
DON’S UPCOMING MARATHONS:
- Sept. 18 - Erie, PA
- Oct. 1 - Bristol, NH
- Oct. 2 - Portland, ME
- Oct. 15 - Hartford, CT
- Oct. 30 - Washington, DC
- Nov. 6 - New York City Marathon
Don’s winter schedule includes Seattle, Delaware and a special race in San Diego. More information will follow.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Facebook www.facebook.com/eRaceCancer - Sponsors have agreed to make a donation to Team Continuum for each “like” the page gets.
All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
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