Jack H. Marston Melanoma Research Fund
"How far that little candle throws his beams!  So shines a good deed in a weary world." 
~ William Shakespeare

December 2011
Season's Greetings
~ Thank you ~
"This Run's For Jack"
Elite Sponsors
~ Sponsors ~
8 years running
Advanced Healthcare Associates
Clune Construction
Drs. Ariano & Gray Dermatology
GCG Investments
Glen Ellyn Park District Healthtrack Sports and Wellness
ITW Dymon
Orange Crush, LLC Packaging World/Summit Media
Tomenson Machine Works, Inc.
Viator International
Vision Statement
"We envision a world where every adult and child is aware of the risks of melanoma and takes preventative measures; where those who suffer from melanoma receive comfort and healing; and ultimately, where every case of melanoma will be completely curable.

Dear Friends:

With the holidays already upon us, we want to take a moment to give thanks for our many blessings and send wishes for a wonderful holiday season.  We are especially appreciative for the gift of your amazing generosity and continued support.
 
Rising to the challenge, Jack's team battled the heat in Chicago, the rain in Glen Ellyn and the bridges in New York to make a difference in the fight against melanoma.

We are proud to report that collectively this year Jack's Fund has raised over $163,000 for melanoma research, awareness and education programs. 

Members from Jack's Marathon Teams raised over $115,000 (Chicago, Marine Corps., Vancouver, New York).

Contributions supporting the eighth annual "This Run's for Jack" 5k  totaled $48,000.

When you have time, browse through the pictures from the 2011 5k, Chicago and New York Marathons.  Witness the powerful gift of healing in the shared tears, smiles and hugs.  By coming together to fight this disease, we do make a difference.  For this, we are truly grateful.

On behalf of all of us at Jack's Fund, may you have a beautiful holiday wrapped in warmth, touched with wonder and filled with love.


Sharon Marston,
The Jack's Fund Board of Directors,
and TRFJ Committee Chairs

 This Run's for Jack 2011
"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass
...
it's about learning how to dance in the rain" ~Vivian Greene  

A little rain could not dampen the strength, passion and focus of over 1,200 runners and walkers who showed up at Ackerman Park in Glen Ellyn to participate in the
8th annual "This Run's For Jack."
Thanks to all who made this year's run a huge success!

TRFJ2011 Medalists
Men Overall Medalists
Jeff Purdom 15:25
Barry Brant 16:13
Thomas Hoffman 16:40
Women Overall Medalists
Elizabeth Tumpach 18:14
Jillian Blondell 18:38
Pam Ridinger 18:56

Click here for complete race results:
*Our apologies - inaccuracy in the distance of the 5k course will be corrected for next year.

Your Feedback requested:
5K SURVEY 

SAVE THE DATE
:

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Registration opens in late August.

Record Number sign up for
5k Team Challenge
 
  Wow! 
Team Challenge "In it for Linda"
A record number - 343 runners and walkers - signed up this year for
Team Challenge. 

Team Awards:
Largest Team: The Green Team
(in memory of Jill Darr)
Fastest Team (youth): Hadley CC
Fastest Team (adult): Team Tumpach
Best Team Name: "We're in it for Linda" 

 Click here to read their personal
stories about why they run.
Family Tent 2011
The Family Tent serves as a place of respite, offering food, coffee and friendship to those whom melanoma
has touched.
"Build it and they will come"  Family Tent greets 450

A special thank you to 
Lutheran General
for sponsorship of the Family Tent

In 2005, "This Run's For Jack" committee planned for the first Family Tent, hosting 25 people.

This year, 450 family and friends were greeted by TRFJ Board, committee members and physicians.
Skin check tent.
Dr. Ariano and staff

Raising Awareness  
Dr. Ariano, Dr. Gray and staff 
  once again provided free skin cancer screenings
for 5k race participants.
 
This year the doctors saw over 40 people 
 and saved lives by raising awareness
and encouraging follow-up. 
5k Volunteers - Thank you!
Thank you to the 200 awesome volunteers who woke up early on a damp Sunday morning to share warm smiles and giving hearts.  A special shout of thanks to Parkview Community Church youth group, Glenbard West athletes and TRFJ committee members.
It is your commitment that makes TRFJ a success each and every year!

 
Registration
Family Tent Co-Chairs











  


- Take a peek at the early morning setup for TRFJ 2011 -
Volunteers and organizers hard at work:
View our videos on YouTube 
You are a true example of
 Strength. Passion. Focus.  (SPF) !!
2011 jack's team
A Hot Time at the
Chicago Marathon

On October 9th, ten Jack's Team members took to the streets of Chicago. Even with hot weather making for less than ideal conditions, all Jack's Team members crossed the finish line!

 

This team member said it best:  

"I ran two previous marathons, 25 minutes faster than this one, but this was by far my best marathon.  Previously, I was out there for myself, but running for Jack's Team completely changed my perspective on the marathon. Being involved in the marathon this year gave me a powerful sense of the best side of humanity, and I am so honored to have run for Jack's Team."

 

To read Chgo Team stories click here

 

In addition to their athletic success, our team also raised  

over $13,000 for melanoma research and awareness.

2011 NYC Marathon
Team Theme Song: "I was here"
by Lady Antebellum

 
Largest NYC Team to-date Takes a
Bite Out of the Big Apple
Record NYC Team Size - Record Fundraising Success

With thirty runners strong, Jack's Team ran, walked, prayed, cried and celebrated through all five boroughs of New York City and over countless bridges, truly leaving their mark on NYC and the fight against melanoma!

Congratulations Jack's NYC Team for your efforts on the course and your outstanding fundraising!

To-date, the NYC Team has raised over $88,000. 

Special thanks to our top fundraisers: 
Steve Lutz ($7,720), Sam Meacham ($6,790)
and Dawn Evans ($4,217). 

Each member of our team had their own personal reasons for joining Jack's Team, but they all shared the same strength, passion and focus! 

To read NY team stories click here.

To join the 2012 NYC Team  click here.

 

Steve Ochs
Major Steve Ochs, USMC

Jack's Team U.S.M.C. Marathon

To honor two fallen heroes...

 

On their own, two runners headed out to Washington D.C. to run this year's Marine Corps Marathon, honoring two courageous men.

 

Eric Baker chose to run as a tribute to his dear friend, Steve Ochs, retired Major in the United States Marine Corps who lost his courageous battle to melanoma last November. Eric's goal was to run in under 4 hours, and he not only did that, but beat his personal best by 17 minutes.  

 

Eric said after the race "I swear I could hear Steve coaching me from up in heaven. ...... telling me when to ease up and when to put the hammer down."

 

Alan Zentz
Alan Zentz

 

The Marine Corps Marathon was Alanna Eisenberg's second marathon with Jack's Team. She ran in memory of her father and hero, Alan Zentz, and to continue to fight melanoma one determined step at a time.   

 

"We recently marked the one year anniversary of my dad's passing but my efforts to take strides against melanoma continue to this day. With every step I take, every mile I run,  I aim to prevent the further spread of this disease and raise funds for melanoma research and awareness programs."

 

Congratulations to both Eric and Alanna and thank you for your dedication to fighting melanoma.  

 Together they raised over $3,700!

 

Let's Redefine Christmas ... by
donate now button
Please forward our newsletter to family and friends.

putting more Thanksgiving in it.
No sooner does Thanksgiving end, than the chaotic shopping season begins --- a month-long compulsion to buy something.  Anything.  For everyone.  We're pressed.  We're stressed.  And we waste time and money on gifts that might have little meaning. Consider giving people donations to their favorite charities. And request that they give a donation to your favorite charity. 

Source:  Justgive.org (Guidestar 501c3 charity: The Jack H. Marston II Melanoma Fund EIN#20-1363653) 
 PHOTO GALLERY
~ Thank you for all the photos and videos ~
Tom Johnsen, Carrie Lewis, Juan Ortega, Jim Berent and
Donna and Ron Comerford    
The photo gallery is the most viewed item in our newsletter!

 
View our photos on flickr
Rooftop healing garde
Watch for future newsletter articles:
  • Jack's Fund honored at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Gala. 
  • Jack's Fund approves grant for College of Dupage Children's Center shade structure.
  • Jack's Fund provides awareness booth at Morton Arboretum.
  • Jack's Fund joins Oncology Advisory Group.
  • Survivorship Program - click here to read more