/24-7PressRelease/ - WASHINGTON, DC, May 14, 2008 - Perspective marathoners have a new incentive for strapping on their running shoes - an opportunity to raise crucial research dollars to help fight melanoma. As part of the Melanoma Research Foundation's (MRF) national Miles for Melanoma program, a new team training model, TEAM M4M, has been launched to support runners with marathon training and guidance as they race for this important cause. Led by melanoma survivor and Washington, DC-metro area marathoner Kevin Stenstrom, TEAM M4M aims to recruit 50 runners to participate in its first event on November 23, 2008 - the Philadelphia Marathon.
"The realization of a marathon team dedicated to affecting change for the treatment of melanoma patients has been a goal of mine for some time," said Stenstrom. "We are excited to partner with the Melanoma Research Foundation to initiate TEAM M4M, which will not only provide perspective runners with marathon support, but an opportunity to make a difference."
Miles for Melanoma is a national program initiated by the MRF to raise melanoma awareness and funds to support promising medical research. In addition to supporting the melanoma community, TEAM M4M members will have the opportunity to benefit from an extensive training program led by seasoned marathon coaches and build camaraderie with other runners through team training. Specifically, the program provides runners with day-to-day training plans; access to marathon coaches; advice on preventing injury, performance, enhancement techniques and racing strategies; emotional support; event transportation and accommodations at the event. For the Philadelphia Marathon, participants are required to raise a minimum of $2,200, which will be donated to the MRF, less minimal marathon expenses and overhead.
"Because there is currently no cure for melanoma, funding research is critical to helping both current and future patients," said Linda Pilkington, Executive Director, Melanoma Research Foundation. "Miles for Melanoma is an important awareness and fundraising program for the MRF, we applaud Kevin for his dedication and for sharing this program with the marathon community."
Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, is one of the fastest growing cancers in the U.S., and can strike people of all ages, all races and both sexes. One in 50 people have a lifetime risk of developing melanoma. In fact, in 2008, more than 62,000 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with invasive melanoma, resulting in an estimated 8,400 deaths. Until there is a cure for melanoma, research is crucial to ensure patients of tomorrow have the help and hope they deserve.
For more information about TEAM M4M or to receive an application packet, please contact Kendel Paulsen, Program Director, at TEAMM4M@melanoma.org or (703) 992-4504.
About TEAM M4M
TEAM M4M provides a team training approach to the Melanoma Research Foundation's national Miles for Melanoma program, which aims to raise melanoma awareness and funds to support promising medical research. As a member of TEAM M4M, participants benefit from an extensive training program led by seasoned marathon coaches and build camaraderie with other runners through team training. Funds raised are donated to the MRF's Research Grant Program, less minimal marathon expenses. Initiating the program around the 2008 Philadelphia Marathon, TEAM M4M aims to add additional marathons to its training program in order to help runners across the country train on behalf of melanoma research.
About the Melanoma Research Foundation
The Melanoma Research Foundation is the largest private, national organization devoted to melanoma in the United States. The Foundation is committed to the support of medical research in finding effective treatments and eventually a cure for melanoma. The Foundation also educates patients and physicians about prevention, diagnosis and treatment of melanoma, while acting as an advocate for the melanoma community to raise awareness of this disease and the need for a cure. The MRF Web site is the premiere source for melanoma information seekers. More information is available at http://www.melanoma.org.
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