By Doug Draper
It became infamous for stealing the life of one of America’s most legendary writers of folk music.
This marathon run is for Vicki
Huntington’s disease or Huntington’s Chorea as it was once known, was virtually unknown to the public at large until it struck down Woody Guthrie, who wrote such folk anthems as ‘This Land is Your Land., ‘Pastures of Plenty’ and ‘Deportee’. This debilitating neurologically and still fatal disease may still seem remote to many people, yet it can strike close to home.
This past summer, it claimed the life of Vicki Paone, a Niagara Falls woman in her 30s whose family has been campaigning for years to raise money for better treatment and a cure for this debilitating, neurological disease.
This fall, a cross-border marathon run, launched in 1974 and now known as the Niagara Falls International Marathon, is one that Vickie previously participated in a venue for raising funds for victims of the disease. It is being held on on Sunday, October 23 and a team participating in it will be named in honour of Vicki, whose brother Paul is also battling the disease.
Their mother, Judy Harding, has been a hardworking director for years of the Niagara chapter of the Huntington Society of Canada. Her chapter, which helps raise money to support at least 80 families on the Ontario side of our greater Niagara region wresting with this disease, is a key participant in the marathon. The chapter’s leg of the marathon is being called the ‘Paone Memorial Run’ in honour of Vicki, whose older sister Chrissy Jones is leading the team.
You can find out more, including how to donate, by reading the information below.
The Paone Memorial Run
October 23, 2011
The Niagara Falls International Marathon celebrated its inaugural running in 1974. The race was known as the Skylon Marathon. Beginning during the first wave of the North American running boom, it quickly became a favourite as it was, and still is, the only marathon in the world that starts in one country and finishes in another… a destination marathon that crosses an international border, providing the runners with an experience of a lifetime.
We invite you to join the Huntington Team and help raise funds in support of the Huntington Society of Canada. Money raised from this event will go towards research and family services to help those suffering from Huntington disease.
This year we are running in memory of Vicki Paone.
“Vicki was a fun loving, happy girl before th onset of HD. HD took her away from us long before she died but when she could, she did her part to fundraise by running in the Niagara Falls International Marathon.
She is missed”. – Judy (Vicki’s mom)
Options include a Marathon, Half Marathon, Half Marathon Walk, 10 km and 5 km Run.
Participants need to register as a race participant on the Niagara Falls International Marathon website.
Then, register on this site to start your online pledging!
Email the link to all your friends, family, co-workers, neighbours…..anyone who might be willing to sponsor your run. Sponsors can support you quickly and easily by pledging online. Tax receipts for donations of $20 or more will be issued automatically.
For more information contact Judy Harding at judyharding@cogeco.ca
If you raise $250 or more in pledges, you will receive a free bus ticket to the start of the race (Half Marathon and Full Marathon only), and a free ticket to the Pasta Party on Saturday October 22nd. That’s a $30 value!!
CLICK HERE for a pdf printable version of the pledge form.
http://huntington.akaraisin.com/NiagaraMarathon2011
Niagara At Large 