The Miles for Meso 8k Run, to be held Feb. 12 in Boca Raton, Fla., offers five of Weitz & Luxenberg’s mesothelioma lawyers an opportunity to educate the public about a deadly form of asbestos-linked cancer and to raise money to help find a cure for it. Proceeds from the 8k race and a two-mile ‘Tribute Walk’ will benefit the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, a cancer research affiliate in Alexandria, VA.

The kinds of battles asbestos attorneys at  are accustomed to winning ordinarily take place in the courtroom, but, on Feb.12, a quintet of asbestos litigators will try their collective hand at winning a different kind of contest – an 8-kilometer charity run that is a part of a fundraising event whose goal is curing mesothelioma, Weitz & Luxenberg co-founder Arthur Luxenberg today announced.

The 8k run will take place in Boca Raton, Fla., and is being organized by Larry Davis, a mesothelioma survivor and a prominent advocate of asbestos awareness. The race is part of the Miles for Meso fundraiser, which will raise money for mesothelioma research.

“We are honored to take part in sponsoring the Miles for Meso event,” said Luxenberg. “Promoting mesothelioma research is a huge priority. There are so many promising advancements in the field, but very little funding to support them. We want Weitz & Luxenberg to be a part of the push that will find a cure for mesothelioma.”

Money raised by the Miles for Meso event will benefit the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. MARF is an organization committed to funding research that seeks to cure mesothelioma, a deadly cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.

Luxenberg said that the firm, a platinum sponsor of the event, will make a direct donation to MARF.

In addition, Weitz & Luxenberg will sponsor five attorneys who will represent the firm at a mesothelioma research symposium taking place the day before the race and then run in the main event the next morning.

Len Feldman, who heads Weitz & Luxenberg’s asbestos practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, will participate in the 8k, along with Daniel Blouin and Samuel Meirowitz, mesothelioma attorneys in the firm’s New York office.

Cindy Saxey, an attorney in Weitz & Luxenberg’s Los Angeles office, will also run in the 8k, while Kevin Mulderig, an asbestos lawyer in the New Jersey office, himself a veteran exposed to asbestos, will participate in the two-mile benefit walk.

An experienced associate in Weitz & Luxenberg’s asbestos litigation unit who also runs a sub-5:00 minute mile, Blouin explained the significance of the race to his firm. “This race is about coming out and supporting the pillars of this vibrant community,” said Blouin. “The survivors, the families, the doctors – these people bring an amazing amount of energy to everything they do. Contributing to their labors is an honor.”

Race organizer Larry Davis, who in addition to his work with fundraising is a longtime member of the South Florida running community, joined forces with Weitz & Luxenberg this fall in a partnership to spread awareness about mesothelioma and raise money to help cure it.

Luxenberg said of Davis, “Larry is an amazing ally for our firm, and I am honored to support his event. His voice has given so many people hope. It’s not just about raising money for research grants; Larry changes the way people think. With Larry there is never even the slightest thought of giving up – his boundless energy is always channeled into a positive, proactive search for a cure.”

A symposium the evening before the race will feature several prominent speakers involved in mesothelioma research, including Kathy Wiedemer, MARF’s CEO, and Linda Reinstein, president and CEO of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, a nonprofit in Los Angeles whose goal is the elimination of commercial asbestos use.

Several physicians who are leaders in the field of mesothelioma treatment will not only speak at the symposium but run in the 8k race. Participating will be Dr. H. Richard Alexander, associate chairman for clinical research at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center; Dr. Raja Flores, chief of thoracic surgery at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City; and Dr. Dipnarine Maharaj of the South Florida Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Institute.

The race, schedule to start at 7:30 Sunday morning, will be hosted by the Runner’s Edge foundation, a nonprofit organization in Boca Raton dedicated to promoting physical fitness for people across all age groups. The nearly five mile course runs through Spanish River Park between Boca Raton’s Intracoastal waters and the Atlantic coast.

While Weitz & Luxenberg’s attorneys and other members of the research community will participate in the event mostly to raise money and awareness, several elite cross country professionals are expected to attend as well.

About Weitz & Luxenberg

Founded in 1986 by attorneys Perry Weitz and Arthur Luxenberg, Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C., today ranks among the nation’s leading law firms. Weitz & Luxenberg’s numerous litigation areas include: mesothelioma, defective medicine and devices, environmental pollutants, accidents, personal injury, and medical malpractice. Victims of accidents are invited to rely on Weitz & Luxenberg’s more than 20 years of handling such cases – begin by contacting the firm’s Client Relations department at 1-800-476-6070 or at clientrelations(at)weitzlux(dot)com and ask for a free legal consultation. More information: http://www.weitzlux.com

The third annual “South Florida Miles for Meso 8K & 2M Tribute Walk,” benefiting the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, will take place on Feb. 12 at Spanish River Park located in Boca Raton.

Pompano Beach resident and avid runner, Larry Davis, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2006, will host the race.

Each year nearly 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibers.

After a latency period of 10 to 50 years, the cancer invades the linings of the lungs, abdomen and heart.

There is currently no known cure for mesothelioma.

This year Davis will team up with the Runner’s Edge Foundation (REF) to help promote healthy living.

REF promotes running and physical fitness for people of all ages. The foundation also supports groups and organizations in pursuit of running and physical fitness through teams, programs, competitions and educational means.

“My stepmother passed away a few years ago from cancer after a very long and difficult battle. I was very close to her and seeing Larry in a difficult cancer battle is something close to me … while I can never truly understand, I can support his fight,” said REF creator, Tom Vladimir.

A post-race party will include an awards ceremony, food, beverages, bounce house and more. To register for the race, visit http://www.Active.com.

A pre-race mesothelioma symposium will take place on Feb. 11th at the Hilton Hotel Deerfield/Boca from 3 to 7 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet leading experts in mesothelioma cancer research.

For more information about the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, visit http://www.curemeso.org.

(L-R) Ken Butalewicz, Susie Simms, John May and Courtney May, 11.------Special to the Sun-Sentinel, Photo by Gina Fontana

You can book a room by following this link or by calling 954-427-7700.

The Friday Night Welcome Party will be at this same location.

100 Fairway Drive, Deerfield Beach, Florida, United States 33441-1856
Tel: 1-954-427-7700    Fax:  1-954-427-2308

the view from my room

where my main doctor is H Richard Alexander. Dr Alexander reviewed my MRI with the Radiology Chief and confirmed that the combination of Carboplatin and Alimta has actually shrunk the size of many of my abdominal tumors. I was about to blow off any further treatment using dangerous Chemo with it awful side effects. It has opened the door for further surgery and a possible clinical trial with Dr. Dipnarine Maharaj.

Frank’s most recent accomplishment, an 89 mile ride dedicated to Rose Mercuro. Rose is a 9 year old little girl suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy. SMA affects nearly 1 in 6000 babies, prohibiting them from ever crawling & walking, let alone the running and jumping and exploring all able bodied children learn naturally.

To read more about Frank’s ride and his inspiration I invite you to go to his website and check out all the amazing things he does to help others.

Thank you Frank for all you do!

A few things to pass along:

Our Saturday Night Symposium (information to come in the next few  weeks) will be held at 1 of our host hotels. Our plan is to have this event at the Hilton Deerfield. They’ve offered us an exceptional price of $109 a night and have space for our informational session. You can book a room by following this link or by calling 954-427-7700. We are also planning to have our Friday Night Welcome Party at this same hotel.

The Marriott in Boca Center has also offered us an outstanding deal. This location is a tad bit closer to the starting line of our race and in a beautiful plaza situated in the heart of Boca Raton. The rate for this hotel is just $149 a night.

Also, race registration is open. The Runner’s Edge Foundation has graciously agreed to put on this year’s event. They’ve registered through Active.com and has everything line up for our special race.

If you are interested in joining our team, volunteering for this event, becoming a sponsor, donating time or money please follow our corresponding links or send an email to mesosurvivor@aol.com .

Sincerely,

Larry Davis and the Miles for Meso Team

These days, Larry is running to save his own life. Larry combined his love of running with his passion for mesothelioma advocacy and awareness to found the annual South Florida Miles for Meso 8K Run & 4K Tribute Walk. This annual road race raises money for the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation), which supports efforts to ban asbestos and research toward a cure for mesothelioma.

For his dedication to the mesothelioma community, Larry Davis has been named Stop Mesothelioma’s first “Advocate of the Month.” Stop Mesothelioma is a Facebook project created and sponsored by Levy Phillips & Konigsberg, LLP (“LPK Law”), which pledges to donate $1 to mesothelioma research and efforts to ban asbestos for every “Like” the page receives up to $100,000.

Larry’s story starts like those of many mesothelioma victims – he was diagnosed with mesothelioma and told he had just six months to live. He was offered chemotherapy and radiation, the traditional approach to mesothelioma treatment. However, Larry decided to forego the traditional treatments. Instead, he decided to work with doctors he felt were more open-minded and offered more radical therapies. He also tried to maintain a more holistic approach to his treatment. Larry continued to run, to keep a positive attitude, and to drink healthy organic vitamin blends. He underwent a progressive tumor removal surgery with Dr. H. Richard Alexander at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center and plans to have follow-up treatment with Dr. Dipnarine Maharaj at the South Florida Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Institute.

Larry credits his active lifestyle – including his running, continuing to operate his business called Extreme Eyewear, sailing, and traveling with his wife Carol and their award winning dogs – for his ability to keep a positive attitude and persevere through his mesothelioma treatments.

Larry also emphasizes the support his wife Carol has given him in his struggle to beat mesothelioma. “Caregivers don’t often get the credit they deserve,” says Larry. He proudly notes that Carol will be running the 2012 Boston Marathon in his honor and that Carol’s daughter Heather and son-in-law Mark Malovos have also qualified for the Boston Marathon. Larry plans to join them at the finish line.

Despite his ongoing medical treatment, Larry continues to run. In the summer of 2011, Larry was getting ready for a fifth surgery to treat his mesothelioma. Although a prior surgery almost killed him, Larry refused to spend his time worrying. Two weeks before his June 27th surgery, Larry participated in a Father’s Day Weekend Triathlon with his daughter Courtney.

It is this zest for life that impacts those around him. Sarah Hager-Karaz, whose husband passed away at the age of 44 from mesothelioma shortly after their first daughter was born, credits Larry Davis with helping her learn to believe in a cure. For Hager-Karaz, running became an outlet while she cared for her husband during his illness and raised their six month old daughter. After meeting Larry, “He instantly became my inspiration. [I felt] a hope I was not able to see with my husband… I looked at Larry and despite all the emotions that meeting him, knowing him and praying for him welled up in me… I suddenly in my heart knew I finally met a man that made me believe in a cure.”

The Meso Foundation applauds Larry for his work. According to Mary Hesdorffer, Medical Liaison for the Meso Foundation, “Larry Davis is in the race of his life raising funds to support the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundations Peer Reviewed Grants Program. Larry leads the pack with many patients following in his footsteps helping the Foundation to raise awareness and fund research for more effective treatments and a cure.”

Linda Reinstein, founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, also praises Larry’s activism. “Larry is remarkable in every sense of the word,” she says. “As a courageous and unwavering leader, Larry has boldly and tirelessly worked to ban asbestos and fund research for a cure. Always speaking the truth, Larry has greatly increased asbestos awareness to prevent exposure. I am honored to call him my friend.”

Despite the efforts of Larry and other advocates, asbestos is still not banned in the United States, and you can hear the indignation in Larry’s voice when he starts to discuss the fact that companies in the United States still import asbestos today. In an effort to change this fact, Larry actively participates in lobbying efforts to ban asbestos and to raise awareness about the health hazards of its continued use. In June of 2011, just days before his fifth mesothelioma surgery, Larry joined a group of mesothelioma advocates on Capital Hill to lobby for this important change.

LPK Law honors Larry Davis for his work on behalf of mesothelioma victims. “Larry is a tireless advocate for the mesothelioma community” says Sharon J. Zinns, an LPK Law attorney who will be running in the February 2012 South Florida Miles for Meso race. “Not only does Larry advocate for his own best treatment, but he also influences those around him to seek better care. It is because of research funded in part by South Florida Miles for Meso that such care is available. Larry’s positive attitude shines through and impacts everyone who has the pleasure to meet him.”

Although he is recovering from a medical set back and not currently running every day, Larry expects to be logging miles again soon and looks forward to running the 3rd Annual South Florida Miles for Meso 8K Run & 4K Tribute Walk on February 12, 2012. You can now register for this race. LPK Law is a Presenting Sponsor of the 2012 South Florida Miles for Meso race.

LPK Law is a national law firm that has represented families affected by mesothelioma for more than 25 years. For more information, please call 1-800-MESO-LAW (1-800-637-6529). Visit the Stop Mesothelioma project at http://www.facebook.com/stopmeso.

To read the story on it’s original page click here.

November 9, 2011 – Members of the mesothelioma community showed the enormous power of social media by raising more than $10,000 in 24 hours on a new Facebook page called Stop Mesothelioma. Levy Phillips & Konigsberg, LLP (“LPK”), the sponsor of the page, has pledged to donate $1 to mesothelioma research and efforts to ban asbestos for every “Like” the page receives up to $100,000.

After reaching 10,000 “Likes” within the first 24 hours, LPK announced that the first $10,000 would be donated to the 3rd Annual South Florida Miles for Meso 8K Run and 4K Tribute Walk. Larry Davis, the race director and a mesothelioma survivor, said, “We are very thankful for the support of LPK. This money is needed to help find a cure for this disease.” Mr. Davis’ annual event, scheduled for February 12, 2012, in Boca Raton, has previously raised more than $50,000, all of which is donated directly to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (“Meso Foundation”).

LPK intends to donate all money from the Stop Mesothelioma project to the Meso Foundation, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (“ADAO”), and fundraising events that support these organizations.

LPK is a national law firm that has represented families affected by mesothelioma for more than 25 years. For more information, please call 1-800-MESO-LAW (1-800-637-6529).

Copyright © 2011 Levy Phillips & Konigsberg, LLP. All Rights Reserved.  |  Attorney Advertising: Prior results do not guarantee a similar future outcome  |  Disclaimer

NEW YORK, New York, September 26, 2011 – Mesothelioma lawyers and staff members from Levy Phillips & Konigsberg LLP (“LPK”), gathered at today’s rally held at Rockefeller Center in New York City to commemorate National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. It was a great opportunity for volunteers from LPK to help the mesothelioma community to raise awareness about mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure.

Supporters of mesothelioma awareness started gathering at the plaza as early as 5:30 in the morning. In the darkness of the early hour, dozens of men, women, and children wearing bright orange t-shirts displaying the website Curemeso.org waited for the moment when they could let the nation know about the dangers of asbestos and the need to find a cure for mesothelioma. This extraordinary group of people knows first-hand what this disease does to the victims and their family members because most of them are either mesothelioma survivors, or family members of those currently fighting the cancer or who have unfortunately died from this asbestos-related disease. Together with them were members of the Heat and Frost Insulators Union Local 12, which has lost many of its workers to mesothelioma and other diseases caused by asbestos exposure.

Volunteers from LPK arrived at the rally ahead of time to greet fellow supporters and to provide them with breakfast. After a long wait, hosts Ann Curry, Lester Holt, and Al Roker came out to greet the big crowd that gathered outside. Al Roker approached the meso group during one of the morning show’s segments and highlighted the website for the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, www.curemeso.org. The group was also greeted by the Today Show’s guests, including actress and former Saturday Night Live star Molly Shannon, and actress Jennifer Garner.

Volunteers from LPK documented this event on video by interviewing attendees and organizers of the rally, including Kathy Wiedemer, the Executive Director of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. This video, which has been released on YouTube and Facebook, will further serve to raise awareness about asbestos-caused mesothelioma and the need for research funding.

Today’s event was the second annual rally at the Today Show organized by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, which is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization seeking a cure for mesothelioma through the funding of peer-reviewed medical research.

Since 2004, the Meso Foundation has recognized Mesothelioma Awareness Day in order to promote awareness for the disease and research for a cure. As a result of the foundation’s efforts, the United States Congress has established and declared September 26 as National Mesothelioma Awareness Day.

The volunteers from Levy Phillips & Konigsberg LLP included attorneys Jerome Block, Lori Benavides, and Wayne Margolis, as well as LPK’s Community Outreach Director Tim Davidov and other members of the firm.

For over a quarter of a century, mesothelioma lawyers at LPK have been pioneers in asbestos litigation throughout the United States. The firm’s attorneys have been recognized for their skill and ethics by independent organizations including “The Best Lawyers in America” and Martindale-Hubbell. LPK’s clients have received some of the largest mesothelioma compensation verdicts in the country.

For more information, or to request a free DVD of the video documenting the Today Show event, please contact Levy Phillips & Konigsberg LLP at 1-800-MESO-LAW (1-800-637-6529).

For facebook information & photos from Mesothelioma Awareness Day 2011 click here.