1 of 2
Runners of the 5K race sprint down Fourth Street at the beginning of last year’s Alton Miles for Meso 5K race. Approximately 800 people participate in the event that raised nearly $30,000 for the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. This year’s race will take place Sept. 26 at the law office of Simmons Hanly Conroy, 1 Court St. The early bird registration rate of $25 ends Aug. 31. Regular registration rate of $30 starts Sept. 1.
2 of 2
Simmons Hanly Conroy Chairman John Simmons (left) and mesothelioma survivor Julie Gundlach of St. Louis (right) present a check to Linda Reinstein, president of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, and Jordan Zevon, ADAO national spokesperson and son of Grammy-winning arts Warren Zevon. The 2014 race would eventually raise nearly $30,000 for ADAO.
ALTON — Miles for Meso is proud to announce that Jordan Zevon, an award-winning singer-songwriter and son of legendary rock musician Warren Zevon, will perform in Alton Saturday, Sept. 26, during the seventh Annual Alton Miles for Meso 5K Race & 2K Fun Run/Walk, which benefits the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization.
Warren Zevon, who received five posthumous Grammy-nominations and won two, including Best Contemporary Folk Album for “The Wind,” passed away in 2003 from mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos. His death moved Jordan to become the national spokesperson for ADAO and he has since lent his voice to helping spread awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure.
“My story is truly no different than any other family affected by the tragedy of asbestos,” Zevon said, on the ADAO website. “The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization gives victims like me and countless others a united voice and unmatched strength to work toward a future without asbestos.”
Mesothelioma, a rare lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases kill approximately 15,000 Americans every year. Though it is heavily regulated, asbestos is not banned in the United States despite being classified as a human carcinogen in 1976 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Linda Reinstein, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization co-founder and president, started the charity in 2004 after her husband, Alan Reinstein, was diagnosed with mesothelioma. He died in 2006, but Reinstein, through her work with the organization, continues to advocate public health and consumer safety to prevent asbestos exposure for an asbestos ban and provides a support community for those affected by asbestos-related diseases.
The race begins at 9 a.m. at the headquarters of Simmons Hanly Conroy, a national mesothelioma law firm at 1 Court Street, across from Marquette Catholic High School in historic downtown Alton.
“I invite everyone to come join Jordan and me at the Miles for Meso starting line and help ADAO continue its work on behalf of the thousands of families and individuals harmed by asbestos,” Reinstein said.
Everyone who registers will receive a long-sleeve, moisture-wicking T-shirt as well as access to race day festivities, including Zevon’s performance. Other activities include a kids’ zone with face-painting, games, a bounce house and more; a dog adoption event; free food and drinks; and a vendor fair featuring local businesses. The day’s schedule of events is as follows:
7:30 a.m. — Race day registration opens
7:30 a.m. — Vendor fair and kids’ zone open
8:30 a.m. — Pre-race ceremony begins
9:00 a.m. — 5K Race & 2K Fun Run/Walk begin
10:15 a.m. — Awards ceremony begins
Online registration will be available through Tuesday, Sept. 22 and costs $35. Race day registration is available on-site for $35 the morning of the race starting at 7:30. Packet pick-up for those registered by Sept. 22 will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at Simmons Hanly Conroy.
To learn more about registration and the race, visit www.milesformeso.org or click here to register online.
Click here to download the PDF Registration Form.
Those in attendance will also have the opportunity to show support and take a stand against asbestos and the diseases it causes. An action table will be set up at the race by Reinstein, where participants can sign pre-written letters that will be sent to the nation’s congressmen. These letters will help in the fight to ban asbestos and protect the victims of asbestos.
About Miles for Meso
Miles for Meso is an initiative of the Simmons Mesothelioma Foundation, established in 2009 to raise funds and awareness for mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Miles for Meso races have been held across the country from New York to Florida to Washington state and several locations in between. Together, Miles for Meso events held have raised nearly $400,000 to benefit mesothelioma research and awareness.
The Alton Miles for Meso race would not be possible without generous sponsors, including platinum sponsors Acropolis Technology, Stratos Legal and The Bridge Church; gold sponsors Jenner & Block, Fathom, First Clover Leaf Bank, PolhmanUSA, Sokolove Law, The Teddrick Group and Classic Graphics. For a complete list of 2015 sponsors, click here.
About Simmons Hanly Conroy
Simmons Hanly Conroy, headquartered in Alton, is one of the country’s leading asbestos and mesothelioma litigation firms. With offices in Illinois, New York, Missouri and California, the firm has represented thousands of patients and families affected by mesothelioma throughout the country. In addition, Simmons Hanly Conroy has pledged more than $20 million to cancer research and proudly supports its local communities through other charitable causes like Miles for Meso. For information about Simmons Hanly Conroy, visit www.simmonsfirm.com.