One Man Embarks on 1,000 Mile Marathon to Benefit Parkinson’s Disease Research and Inspire Every Day Heroes
April 6, 2012
CHARLESTON, SC – April 2, 2012 – Business owner and humanitarian James Mangini, 32, will embark on the 1000 Mile Marathon on May 7, 2012 to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s diseaseresearch. His journey will start in Charleston, SC and he plans tocomplete his 1,000 miles in New York City on June 7.
“This journey is not just about raising awareness and finding a curefor my dad and the millions of others who live with Parkinson’s,” notesMangini. “It’s about inspiring and challenging everyday heroes to jointhe fight against Parkinson’s disease.”
Mangini will run approximately 33 miles, or eight to 10 hours eachday. Along the way he will stop in a dozen cities across nine states tobolster local support and build awareness. One stop will be inHillsborough, NJ at the home of his father who was stricken withParkinson’s disease six years ago.
The 1000 Mile Marathon is organized and operates as a 501(c) 3nonprofit organization and was set up to raise awareness and to benefitTeam Fox, the community fundraising division of The Michael J. FoxFoundation (MJFF). “James is truly an inspiration,” said Katy Reitz, Director of Team Fox. “When James mentioned that he wanted to do something BIG,we had no idea he would take on a challenge like the 1000 Mile Marathonto continue to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s research. Weare honored that James has chosen Team Fox as the beneficiary of thismonumental journey.”
Now through December 31, every dollar donated to MJFF through the 1000 Mile Marathon will be matched dollar-for-dollar withthe $50-million Brin-Wojcicki Challenge, launched by Sergey Brin andAnne Wojcicki.
In addition to the unwavering support of MJFF and Team Fox, sponsors of the 1000 Mile Marathon include Home Telecom,Charleston Southern University and the South Carolina Sports Medicine& Orthopedic Center.
About Parkinson’s Disease
According to MJFF, Parkinson’s disease is achronic, degenerative neurological disorder. The average age at onset is60, people have been diagnosed as young as 18. Approximately 1.5million people in the US have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.And it is estimated that another 2 million around the world are livingundiagnosed.
About Team Fox
Team Fox started in 2006 as the community fundraising division of TheMichael J. Fox Foundation. Currently, Team Fox has over 1500 activemembers and has raised more than $15 million toward accelerating a curefor Parkinson’s disease and improved therapies for those living with thecondition today. The Michael J. Fox Foundation, the largest privatefunder of Parkinson’s Research, pursues its goals through anaggressively funded, highly targeted research program, and has investedover $285 million in research to date.
For more information, visit: www.michaeljfox.org; www.facebook.com/teamfox.
