|
This weekend's 9th Annual Sharon Timlin Memorial 5K Road Race to cure ALS will draw more than 1800 runners, hundreds of walkers and supporters to the event named in memory of Sharon Timlin, mother of former Red Sox relief pitcher Mike Timlin. Proceeds from the road race and family fun day will benefit The Angel Fund and its research at the Cecil B. Day Laboratory for Neuromuscular Research at UMass Medical Center.
The phenomenal success of this event is the result of long hours of work by committee members and race organizers, along with a number of people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to raise money for ALS, a disease better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
Among those who help raise money and lend a hand on race day are three of the youngest 'Angels' in the Angel Fund family, Eleni Mazareas, Lauren Mercier and Gaby Weilding. The three, all between the ages of 10 and 12, go above and beyond to bring the organization closer to a cure.
For the past few years, the girls, have made it their mission to raise money for ALS research, both individually and collectively. Together, they have raised thousands of dollars by asking friends, relatives and neighbors to assist them in their cause while spreading the word about ALS.
According to Eleni, Lauren and Gaby, they volunteer, raise money and/or participate in the race because they have either been personally affected by the disease or have had family members become involved in the event by volunteering at the Timlin Race. Eleni's father, George Mazareas, the inspiration for the race, is living with ALS, while Lauren's grandmother passed away from ALS. Gaby, who is a past winner of the childrens' mini marathon, follows in the footsteps of her parents and their friends who are longtime supporters and volunteers at the event.
And while this is the first year that Gaby will participate as a runner in the 5K road race, all three will begin their day as early 7:00 a.m., helping the committee with the childrens' races and activities. They'll be at the race, helping out, running the race and making a difference.
"These three -Eleni, Lauren and Gaby -are amazing young ladies," event co-chair Abbie Rosenberg said. "they are committed to help find a cure for ALS. You could say that they are our Angels! We are truly grateful to them and to everyone else for all they have done."
| 
