Each of them has their own personal motivation for joining Team McGraw, and each of them have chosen to honor some special person or people that have been touched by a brain tumor in their journey.
Find your favorite runner, share their stories, and help us spread the word as we support our team through our donations.
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| Brendan Anderer :: New York, NY |
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"Both the [Tug McGraw] Foundation and myself, in our own ways, work to educate real people about their most prized possession 'their health.' And together, we believe that no one should have to fight cancer or other illnesses alone." |
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| Diane Bier :: Milltown, NJ |
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"I'm running for my husband, David. I work full-time and have three children. There's nothing out of the ordinary about that...except that David has a malignant brain tumor. He is my best friend, my husband, my everything." |
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| Johanna Bischof :: Durham, NC |
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"I am honored to be the recipient of the Tim McGraw medical education scholarship and will be in the second year of Duke Medical School at the time of the marathon. Running with Team McGraw is an exciting chance for me to give back and help people living with brain tumors now and in the future.” |
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| Cindy Bohlin :: Chapel Hill, NC |
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"[As a nurse], the ability to support our patients – and my love for running at the same time – is exciting, rare, and truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. Here is a new unique way to give support and raise awareness aside from my career.” |
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| Beth Brewer :: St. Paul, MN |
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"Since [my brother] Jeff’s diagnosis [of a brain tumor], I have been searching for significant ways to help him and the brain cancer cause. I love to run, and I love my brother (a 3+ year survivor). What a great way to let him know that his family supports him…and believes!" |
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| Dean Brown :: Franklin, TN |
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“I can’t imagine standing idly by while watching physicians poke and test my child, trying to uncover the reasons for his unending and uncontrollable seizures; I’m a dad – and that’s brutal. On November 4, I will run 26.2 miles…so that doesn’t have to happen again.” |
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| Randy Brown :: Nashville, TN |
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"One of my inspirations is already a part of my life. My friend,
Carlee Vaughn, is a recent brain tumor survivor, and the strength,
courage and faith she and her family have shown throughout this
ordeal has been unbelievable. I want to run to celebrate her victory
and the wonderful life she has yet to live!" |
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| Lisa Connelly :: New York, NY |
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“I feel so fortunate to be able to live the wonderful life I lead. I feel it’s my responsibility to do what I can to help those dealing with health challenges. It’s a big reason why I have cultivated a career in health education.” |
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| Kyle Craven :: Bethlehem, PA |
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"My grandfather, Hugh Sr., is a survivor of brain tumor surgery. In his spirit for life and living, I will be running in honor of those who continue to battle with the challenges and struggles posed by brain tumors." |
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| Dr. Mark deGruchy :: Ottawa, Ontario – CANADA |
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"I am running in memory of my wife Veronica – and for Pat Redden who died from GBM in April 2006. I am also running for all those with loved ones who have lost this fight, for those who are in the middle of this journey, and for those who have survived." |
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| Tony Estrella :: New York, NY |
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"I am proud to run my first marathon in support of Team McGraw. Through my work in the health field, I continue to meet incredible individuals and organizations that are making a difference. The Tug McGraw Foundation is one of these organizations." |
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| Robert Flutie :: Pacific Palisades, CA |
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"Although I have not had the pleasure of meeting all of my teammates in person yet, I dedicate and commit myself to run with, and in support of, you. From Brendan Anderer to Mike Tomasulo, I hold a special light of love and thank you for your support and compassion to this cause." |
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| Jennifer Fraser :: Durham, NC |
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"My name is Jen Fraser, and I am a first-year medical student at Duke. I am so grateful for the tremendous support that the TMF has given me and other members of the Collegiate Athlete Premedical Experience (CAPE) Program at Duke in helping us on the path towards becoming doctors." |
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| Cindy Lee Gladney :: St. Louis, MO |
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“When I visited the Tug McGraw Research Center at Duke, I met two parents of children lost to brain tumors. I run for all of these people forced to fight in a way that many of us have not. It is to these individuals and their loved ones that I dedicate this marathon.” |
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| Julie Hamill :: Washington, DC |
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“I took care of my mom for 14 months while she was sick with a GBM [brain tumor]. It is my great honor to continue [her] fight to give hope to future patients and their families. She is my inspiration…and I know she’ll be there pushing me through every mile.” |
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| Robert Hill :: Jackson, MS |
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“Upon researching the Tug McGraw Foundation, I was inspired to run for an excellent cause, to contribute my time and effort in order to raise money to help fight brain cancer. So, while I look forward to running, I am also excited for the opportunity to practice what I preach by serving others.” |
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| Mark Kaplan :: New York, NY |
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"I've had the opportunity to meet some of my brother runners over the summer, and the spirit of this team is awesome! It really seems like we are all on the same page, with the same mission, and that really has kept me focused during these past months." |
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| Joel Kreuziger :: Clyman, WI |
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“A little over five and a half years ago, at the age of 14, I had a brain tumor. I know from my own experience how challenging of a battle this illness is. My goal is to put a face to brain tumors. This will be my first marathon. On November 4th, I am running to support Monika Mervic, Chris Funk and everyone else that is affected by this illness.” |
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| Kevin Leathers :: Memphis, TN |
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“The focus and determination that it takes to train for and complete a marathon pales in comparison to the fight and spirit that brain tumor patients, their caregivers, and their families display every day – and I am honored to serve as a member and the coach of this team.” |
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| Ilene Mack-Zaghloul :: Nashua, NH |
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"I was brought up to appreciate what I was given and to give back to those less fortunate than I. Running the ING New York City Marathon with Team McGraw will enable me to do this...to show 30,000 runners and two million spectators that the Tug McGraw Foundation is a charity I believe in." |
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| Katherine McDermott :: Pitman, NJ |
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“Not a dry eye was to be found in the church when Tricia and her father [Dr. Charles Owen, brain tumor survivor] walked down the aisle or danced their first slow dance to Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up.” Yes, Mr. Owen, you raise us up, as we have come to know what a true miracle and blessing you are to us all.” |
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| Glen McDevitt :: Palatine, IL |
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“When [my wife] Jenny decided to run her first of three marathons in 2004 after having her first brain surgery to remove a malignant tumor…I decided from that day on that I was going to run every race with her so I could support her every step of the way.” |
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| Jen McDevitt :: Palatine, IL |
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“My goal with Team McGraw is to put a face to brain cancer. I can do this, because I am a brain cancer survivor myself – and a fighter. This will be my fourth marathon. I have run my last three all on chemo and all with a spirit and a motivation to live.” |
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| Brady McKay :: Los Angeles, CA |
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"Two years ago, I never thought that I would be able to run the streets of New York City while raising awareness and money for the Tug McGraw Foundation. Anything is possible if you work hard and follow your heart. I'm truly excited to take part in this wonderful event." |
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| Jim McKeon :: Landenberg, PA |
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“My inspiration is my eight-year-old son Jimmy, who almost three years ago was diagnosed with a brain tumor. That’s what I hate the most about this disease; it attacks children – innocent kids who have never experienced the joys or ordinary struggle or life itself.” |
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| Jeff McMahon :: Nashville, TN |
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“It does get challenging sometimes, finding time to train in the midst of a concert tour…but I’ve seen the pain and the wreckage of this disease firsthand. That makes it easy – knowing that I’m running for Hannah, for Jeannie. This is so much bigger than me.” |
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| Anita Moreno :: E. Greenwich, RI |
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"One of my previous managers [at work], Terry Fontana, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. In just days of being diagnosed, she went in for surgery and, unfortunately, hasn't been out since. My coworkers had such passion telling me about her that I would like to run in Terry's honor." |
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| Nadene Murphy :: Scotch Plains, NJ |
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“Training for this marathon will be a challenge, but it will be nothing compared to the struggle that my mom [diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2002] faced every day for two years. Her courage has inspired me to do this, and I can’t wait to make her proud.” |
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| Frank Musto :: Dix Hills, NY |
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"This past year, a fellow art teacher in the district I teach in, David Zoeller, passed away from brain cancer at the age of 38. This time, I needed to do more than just shake my head and say, 'He was too young.' The message needs to get out, and being a teacher, I have the power to reach more individuals." |
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| Hilary Polk-Williams :: Los Angeles, CA |
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"I know of no better way to make use of a life blessed by health than to raise money for cancer. I remain committed to fulfilling my promise to my mother, my uncle, and all the other brave soldiers who refuse to give in to cancer, that I will do what I can to make their battle easier." |
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| JoAnn Sei :: Flemington, NJ |
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“During the course of my mom’s battle with a brain tumor, I became friends with many affected by this illness. My family and I are so excited to be a part of this team and raise money for such a great cause; I can’t bring [my mom] back, but I can still make her proud!” |
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| Sam Sloane :: Freehold, NJ |
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"It has been a lifelong goal [of mine] to complete the New York City Marathon; this is a great opportunity to do so, and, at the same time, raise money for a great cause." |
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| Colleen Tierney :: Brooklyn, NY |
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"My friend Beth Brewer invited me to join her and be part of Team McGraw and run in honor of her brother Jeff (a 3+ year survivor). Beth’s strength during Jeff’s illness has inspired me to raise money for a cause that will help others like Jeff; of course…I couldn’t say no." |
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| Mike Tomasulo :: Tinton Falls, NJ |
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"Two years ago, my mother-in-law lost her battle to brain cancer; 18 months later, I found myself sitting in a hospital waiting room for 7 hours as my four-year-old daughter underwent brain surgery. On November 4th, I am going to run 26.2 miles in order to do whatever I can to help fight back." |
