FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS: Kenya Felton
215-805-8669
[email protected]
Tameeka Felton
215.704.8034
[email protected]
TOOMEY vs. TOOMEY IS GIVING YOU A RUN FOR YOUR MONEY
Sen. Pat Toomey and wife, Kris, are not running for office but for a cause:
The 7th Annual 'Miles for Myeloma 5K Run/Walk'
PHILADELPHIA, PA, (Wednesday, April 8, 2015) – The Philadelphia Multiple Myeloma Networking
Group (PMMNG) is pleased to announce that its 7th Annual Miles for Myeloma 5K Run/Walk (MFM) will
feature special guests, Senator Pat Toomey and his wife, Kris Toomey. The event will take place on
Saturday, April 25, at 8:30 a.m., in Fairmount Park, with a kick off at Memorial Hall, 4231 Avenue of
the Republic.
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a form of blood cancer that arises from plasma cells -- a type of white blood
cell found in bone marrow that affected an estimated 24,050 adults in the United States last year.
It will be “Toomey vs. Toomey” as Senator Toomey and his wife Kris, whose mother is battling multiple
myeloma, take part in a race together for the very first time. In addition to raising money for a worthy
cause, the Senator and his wife will also compete against each other for family bragging rights.
"We are honored to have Senator and Mrs. Pat Toomey kick off our program,” said Event Organizer
Karen Horan.
Glenn “Hurricane” Schwartz, Chief Meteorologist from NBC10, will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
Other participants include Dr. Dan Vogl, a leading expert in myeloma from the University of
Pennsylvania, and fan favorite, the lovable Phillies Phanatic.
“The Miles for Myeloma 5K Run/Walk will bring over 1,200 multiple myeloma patients, their family,
friends and medical teams together to raise awareness about the disease and the much needed funding
for the most promising research initiatives and local patient support programs,” said Horan.
Proceeds from this event will benefit the research initiatives of the International Myeloma Foundation
(IMF) and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), as well as local financial assistance and
local patient support programs provided by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and Philadelphia
Multiple Myeloma Networking Group (PMMNG). Since its inception in 2009, the run/walk has raised
more than $750,000 to help fund advanced research initiatives and support local patient programs.
For information about PMMNG or to register for Miles for Myeloma 5K, please visit
www.philadelphia.myeloma.org and follow on Facebook at (www.facebook.com/PMMNG) and
on Twitter (@PMMNG).
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www.philadelphia.myeloma.org
About Multiple Myeloma (MM)
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a form of blood cancer that arises from plasma cells, a type of white blood
cell, found in bone marrow. It is the second most common blood cancer. An estimated 24,050 adults
(13,500 men and 10,550 women) in the United States were diagnosed with MM in 2014 and an
estimated 11,090 people are predicted to die from the disease.
About Philadelphia Multiple Myeloma Networking Group’s (PMMNG)
The Philadelphia Multiple Myeloma Networking Group (PMMNG) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
that provides information and support to Multiple Myeloma patients and their families throughout the
Delaware Valley. Since it was founded in 1995, PMMNG has been dedicated to fundraising for MM
Research and serves as a major resource for information on medical treatment options, financial
support programs and counseling needs for MM patients. For more information about PMMNG, please
visit www.philadelphia.myeloma.org.
About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) was established in 1998 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization by twin sisters Karen Andrews and Kathy Giusti, soon after Kathy’s diagnosis
with multiple myeloma. The mission of the MMRF is to relentlessly pursue innovative means that
accelerate the development of next-generation multiple myeloma treatments to extend the lives of
patients and lead to a cure. As the world’s number-one private funder of multiple myeloma
research, the MMRF has raised $275 million since its inception and directs nearly 90% of total
budget to research and related programming. As a result, the MMRF has been awarded Charity
Navigator’s coveted four-star rating for 11 consecutive years, the highest designation for
outstanding fiscal responsibility and exceptional efficiency. For more information about the MMRF,
please visit: www.themmrf.org.
About the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF)
The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is the world’s oldest and largest myeloma organization,
reaching more than 350,000 members in 140 countries. Founded in 1990, the IMF is a non-profit
organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients and their families. The IMF
has global headquarters in North Hollywood, California, USA, with European headquarters in Brussels,
Belgium, and Latin American headquarters in São Paulo, Brazil. Additionally, there are affiliates in
Canada, Czech Republic, Israel, Italy, and Japan. To learn more, visit www.myeloma.org.
About the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to
blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve
the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the
world and provides free information and support services. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org.
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www.philadelphia.myeloma.org