A Family Affair

You know how it is … you get busy, you lose track of time, and before you know it you haven’t seen certain members of your family for years. That’s how it is for me. I haven’t seen my father’s sister and husband, my Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Paul, since my dad’s surgery. They flew to Florida when he was critically ill and we spent time together. Then they flew to Newport, RI, a special family Independence holiday location, where we watched my dad try to balance life before Mesothelioma and life going forward with the disease. It has probably been at least that long since I’ve seen my father’s brother and his wife, my Uncle David and Aunt Cynnea.

When I was younger I spent every other Christmas with my dad, Aunt Marilyn and family. During the summers there was a stretch of a few years where I visited my dad’s brother and his wife. They moved to Florida for a few years and I was able to visit them while visiting my dad. Then they moved away. Both sets of siblings now live west of the Mississippi. With busy schedules, limited funds and growing families, seeing each other isn’t as easy as it once was.

But in a few weeks I am going to see everyone again. The one person who makes us all family, my dad, is still alive years after being diagnosed with Mesothelioma and he is bringing us all together.

We will meet in Florida for the 2nd annual South Florida Miles for Meso race and event weekend. All of us are flying in from our respective home states to converge on Boca Raton for an event my father brought to the area 1 year ago. I am very much looking forward to seeing my family. They have all been huge supporters of my father all of his life. He’s the youngest, the little brother, if you didn’t already know. They’ve always looked out for him, and me. And they will be there to support him as he continues to raise funds for research through the Miles for Meso program.

I fly in on Friday the 11th. That night there is a Welcome Party at The Wishing Well Pub in Boca. The following day there will be a reception, the Saturday Night Celebration of Life, at which my Uncle David will present after the keynote speaker, Dr. Richard Alexander, my father’s physician and Mesothelioma researcher. The main event will be Sunday’s race at Spanish River Park just off A1A in beautiful Boca Raton. The whole family will be there. I wouldn’t miss it. And we sincerely hope you will join us for the festive occasion.                                                 ~Courtney Davis

1 Month and Counting

Only 1 more month to go until the 2nd annual running of the South Florida Miles for Meso 8K, 4K, & fun run.

In addition to the actual race, we have 2 other nights of festivities. On Friday night we open the weekend up to the event at our Barefoot Wine Welcome Party. Racers, volunteers, organizers, sponsors and guests of honor are all welcome to join us at the Wishing Well Pub in Boca Raton. You can pick up your race number and welcome packet while tasting wines and hanging out with friends.

And on February 12th beginning at 6pm we will be gathering for the Saturday Night Celebration of Life at the Addison Country Club in Delray Beach.

My physician, Dr. Richard Alexander, will join us. He is the Associate Chairman for Clinical Research and a professor of surgery at the University of Maryland. He is our keynote speaker for the Saturday night event. He will be discussing the advances on education and treatment for victims of Mesothelioma. Dr. Alexander has been named one of Baltimore Magazine’s 2010 “Top Doc’s”. He will be followed by Dr. Denton Davis, successful doctor, entrepreneur and author of a new book “Dancing Cats and Silent Canaries”.  The publication emphasizes the quiet killers, like asbestos, that surround us every day. These unseen materials are thought to contribute to disabilities like Autism. Dr. Davis will help you decide what you can do to protect future generations. You must RSVP to (954)303-5060 in advance if you would like to attend this affair. Space is limited.

 

LAST Day To Book A $139 Room, M4M

I just wanted to let everyone know that there are only 2 days left to book a $139 room at the prestigious Boca Raton Hotel & Resort!

Rooms will likely be available, but not at our prices.

• 501 East Camino Real
• Boca Raton, Florida 33432
• (888) 557-6375 , group I.D. code: Boca Raton Road Runners/Miles for Meso
• http://www.bocaresort.com/
• $139 for their Cloister traditional or $149 for the Cloister Deluxe, includes the $20.00 per room resort fee which covers local calls, high-speed internet service, the fitness center, a copy of the New York Times and resort transportation.

You can also look into reserving a space at the Boca Bridge Hotel.  

• 999 East Camino Real
• Boca Raton, Florida 33432
• (866) 909-2622 for reservations group code MESO, (561) 368-9500 for the hotel
• http://www.bocaratonbridgehotel.com
• $169 per room

40 Days to Miles for Meso

IT’S BACK! The SOUTH FLORIDA MILES FOR MESO 8K WILL BE FEBRUARY 13^th, 2011!!!!

This year we have some surprizes in store. The 2011 Miles for Meso race distance has been changed to an 8K! It is a USATF certified course through the beautiful Boca Raton Spanish River Park, starting on A1A. Last year’s race kicked off as the sun came up over the Atlantic Ocean. You won’t want to miss that! This distance is currently the national standard for collegiate cross country races and not the usual length for our area. We thought we’d shake things up a bit in 2011. And for those of you not wanting to go the distance of an 8K, we’ve created a shorter route for you.

We’ve added a 4K Tribute Run/Walk for people wanting to participate but not run the new, full 8K. Last year we had a number of folks come out to run or walk the course in honor of a loved one lost to Mesothelioma. We certianly  want to promote more of that! Especially since our race proceeds are dedicated to giving more victims, like our own Race Director Larry Davis, a fighting chance against the horrible effects of asbestos exposure. The 4K goal is to get participants active and encourage everyone. So wear those photos, t-shirts, and ball caps in rememberance of your loved ones. This race is as much for them as it is for you and the victims of Meso we help in the future.

In addition to these races we’ve also added yet another distance. We are also introducing the 1 Mile Youth Run. Kids and young adults under the age of 18 can sign up to compete in this new 1 mile race.

Registration is now open online at www.AccuChipTiming.com or www.Active.com . The 1^st 200 registrants received via www.AccuChipTiming.com will receive a free pair of Tri Sport sunglasses.

You can find race registration pamphlets at some of your favorite running stores as well, such as Runner’s Edge in Boca Raton and Running Wild in Fort Lauderdale.

The Miles for Meso timing structure as also been changed. This year’s timing tags will now be attached to your race bib and disposable! No more stopping at the end of your run to pull that little guy off your shoe before the next runner comes in behind you. But remember – you have to wear your timing tag and your race bib during the race or you risk disquailifcation.

Racers, one last note, we would also like to invite you to our Wine Tasting Welcome Party on Friday February 11^th. Barefoot Wines has graciously agreed to toast to another successful race. The gathering will be at the Wishing Well Pub in Boca Raton beginning at 6pm. Pre-registered racers will be able to pick-up their race packets at this time.

We look forward to seeing you at our 2011 South Florida Miles for Meso event!

Believe in a Cure.