Meet the Mooney Brothers!

Seven years ago, Owen Mooney was diagnosed with a cancer with a 5-year survival rate. The diagnosis changed not only his life, but also those of his three sons. After watching their dad go through years of chemotherapy and several difficult stem cell transplants, all three of them are running for him in the Chicago Marathon! The statistics for this disease are discouraging, but to this family, “statistics are just statistics.” The last several years have been far from easy for Owen, but the Mooneys are happy to report that he is currently in remission. “We pray that while he continues this maintenance chemo, more advances will be made to perhaps even cure this disease once and for all,” they said. The brothers are fighting multiple myeloma side by side with their dad, because theirs is a clan that sticks together! 

Jason and Marcy Run for Their Mom

Jason Stewart and his sister Marcy Wenderski are running in memory of their mom, Janet Goldermann, who passed away from multiple myeloma in 2007. Janet had just moved to Minnesota and had started a new job when she was diagnosed. For a time, treatment took up all of Janet’s focus and energy, but thanks to aggressive treatment and a stem cell transplant, Janet enjoyed a period when she was nearly cancer-free. During this time, she was able to help Marcy move into a new home and celebrate Jason’s wedding in 2006! Though Janet had to give up many activities she loved, such as fishing and observing wildlife, a smile never left her face as she fought the disease. Cancer may have taken Janet’s life, but it never conquered her spirit. “We wish our mother could be there to see us cross the finish line, but we know she will be with us in our hearts,” says Jason.

Laura and John Run for John's Patients!

In running the NYC Marathon, John Klibanoff is going above and beyond the call of duty to help patients with multiple myeloma. As an orthopedic surgeon, John regularly treats people who are fighting multiple myeloma. He and his wife Laura have 20 marathons and triathlons under their belts, and over the past several years, they have raised more than $10,000 for the MMRF! “Running for the MMRF has brought a MUCH more significant level of meaning and inspiration to our pursuits,” he says. The funds he and Laura raise go directly to research that benefits John’s work, and running with the MMRF is just another way he helps myeloma patients.

A Second Chance At the Chicago Marathon

Once again, Marcy Wenderski is running the Chicago Marathon for her mom! Marcy’s mom lost her battle with multiple myeloma five years ago, just two years after her diagnosis. “She was a true fighter,” Marcy says, “and 26.2 miles seem like nothing when I think if her two-year battle with the disease.” The last time Marcy ran the Chicago Marathon, she felt that she let the marathon defeat her. This year, however, she is determined not to let that happen again! Since that first race, Marcy has run the Wisconsin Marathon and the MC200, and in both races, there were moments when she felt as though her mom was running right beside. These moments gave her renewed strength just when she needed it and allowed her to finish strong. Marcy hopes to honor her mother and her fighter’s spirit by conquering the Chicago Marathon in her memory.

Megan Makes Her Mom Proud

Megan Johnson’s mom was an amazing runner until a serious stress fracture forced her to put away her running shoes. “Mom used to run marathons, and quite frankly, was a better runner than I,” said Megan. “There is nothing more she would love then to be able to run again.” Now, Megan has picked up where her mother left off. Her mom was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2007, and though it has been a long, difficult road since the diagnosis, Megan insists her mom “is an amazing woman with a lot of fight.” Another long road lies ahead of Megan- 26.2 miles through Chicago- but to her, it is an opportunity to make her mom proud. She is especially excited to run for the MMRF. “Running a little marathon seems like such a small thing in comparison to all that [the MMRF has] done for us,” she says. “Because of MMRF's research and the grants my parents receive, she will be at Chicago Marathon to cheer me on in the proudest moment of my life.”

Never Slowing Down!

Chad Dodd is running the Chicago Marathon in honor of his mother, who “fought multiple myeloma for 7 years and never slowed down!” He’s joined the PowerTeam in pursuing the next generation of multiple myeloma treatments for patients like his mom. Chad’s mother never slowed down, and nor does the search for a cure. With dedicated athletes like Chad, the MMRF is able to push on in myeloma research with a constant urgency and determination to reach the goal- like a runner on race day!