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| Judy with her brother, Dave |
Judy Maruca runs for her neighbor, a young mother of 3, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma 5 years ago. She also joined our team for her father, who was diagnosed with Waldenstroms Macroblastic Anemia. The MMRF’s work does not just benefit myeloma patients; many of the protocols for other conditions, like Judy’s father’s, are derived from myeloma research. Her father taught Dr. Kenneth Anderson, a leading oncologist at the Dana Farber Cancer Foundation, in high school, and now, Dr. Anderson treats his former teacher! Sadly, Judy also runs in honor of her brother, who should be running with her. Two months after committing to run for the MMRF he was paralyzed by a GMB of the spine, and he only recently passed away. “My brother was a wonderful man who ran many marathons, climbed mountain ranges and inspired people all over the world,” says Judy. In light of this tragedy, she still finds the strength to pursue her goal and touch the lives of those people who have been affected by cancer; “As I ran the other day, I thought to myself, ‘I run in joy for those cured of cancer, in hope for those living with cancer and in honor of those who have succumbed to cancer.’”
Patrick Sansonetti is running the Falmouth Road Race in honor of his father, who died from multiple myeloma in 1996. “I am so impressed with the progress that the MMRF has made towards fighting the disease that I was compelled to help raise money,” he says. Running for the MMRF is his way of helping those who are battling multiple myeloma just as his father did, and when he runs the race, his daughters are right there to cheer him on!
