Marathon Maniac's Attempt to Break the World Record Hiking the Appalachian Trail to Help Cancer Patients
SAN FRANCISCO, June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Lazarex Cancer Foundation's Team for Life runner David Wingard is proud to be a maniac. Having earned the "Marathon Maniac" designation for endurance running (31 marathons and four ultra-marathons in 2012 alone), Wingard is going the distance with Lazarex Cancer Foundation with a staggering marathon schedule in 2013 to raise funds for cancer patients and their families. Endurance running is not only Wingard's way of fighting cancer – it's preparing him for his biggest challenge yet. In June of 2014, David Wingard will attempt to set the fastest time for hiking the Appalachian Trail, requiring him to trek 48 miles per day for more than six weeks straight.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130611/PH30491 )
Wingard, a 62 year-old carpenter from South Carolina, lost his wife to Melanoma in 2009 and has teamed up with the Lazarex Cancer Foundation to raise awareness and support for cancer patients. His campaign to break the record in hiking the Appalachian Trail begins at the San Francisco Marathon, June 16, 2013 and can be tracked at www.RunDavidRun.org.
"A marathon's 26.2 miles or the Appalachian Trail's roughly 2,200 miles is nothing compared to the journey a cancer patient will encounter," says Wingard. "This trek is a way for me to give back, help others and bring awareness to what we can do as individuals to fight this disease that has touched so many of us."
Lazarex Cancer Foundation's Team for Life program enables athletes to participate in endurance events on an official team, or create their own fundraising event that directly supports cancer patients. Some team members, like Wingard, run or swim, while others create jewelry to support the organization and the cancer patients they serve.
"We strive to bridge the gap for cancer patients who have been told they are out of options but who aren't done fighting the disease," says Lazarex President & Founder Dana Dornsife. "David's heroic trek helps raise awareness about our mission, and the importance of clinical trials as a treatment option, while raising funds that will help [Lazarex Cancer Foundation] directly reimburse cancer patients for costs associated with their clinical trial participation."
For information about David Wingard's trek, donations, ways to get involved and more on Lazarex Cancer Foundation or Team for Life, visit www.RunDavidRun.org. Follow the campaign on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/OfficialDavidWingard.
Attention editors and assignment desks: 62-year-old David Wingard is available for phone or live interviews at SF Marathon, June 14th – 16th, regarding his 42-day Appalachian hike for Lazarex Cancer Foundation and his staggering marathon schedule.
About Lazarex Cancer Foundation
Lazarex Cancer Foundation supports all end-stage cancer patients and the cancer community by providing assistance with costs for clinical trial participation, navigation through clinical trial options, and community outreach and education. Lazarex provides resources to fill the gap that exists from the time a patient is told there is no more hope and when they are truly done with their journey in life.
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