75-Year-Old Man to Run 97th Marathon with Cancer

Minnesota Man to Run Vancouver USA Marathon to “ERACE Cancer”

Vancouver, Washington –  When 75-year-old Don Wright runs the Vancouver USA Marathon, it will be his 97th marathon since he was diagnosed with cancer.

Don completed a marathon in each of the 50 states while on cancer treatment in 2012. Now he’s closing in on his next goal: Running 100 marathons with cancer.

The Vancouver USA Marathon, on June 19, will be Don’s 97th marathon. Hailing from Minnesota, Don has multiple myeloma, a blood cancer with no cure. He has been able to treat it with oral medications and new types of infusions. The benefit of these new treatments is that he doesn’t get as sick: and thus he is able to train to reach his goal.

Recently, he had a major setback when his long-term treatment stopped working and a new one failed as well, causing him to cancel a marathon–and possibly his 100 Marathon Goal!  But he’s on yet another new treatment—an immunotherapy—and back on track. Literally!

Don runs in support of Patients Rising, which fights for access to innovative treatments for patients with life-threatening diseases (https://www.facebook.com/PatientsRising).

To see Don running, please go to: https://www.facebook.com/ERACECANCER/videos.

Brian Davis, Race Director and Owner of Energy Events which manages VUM, said “We are honored that Don would make us one of the marathons on his literal race to 100. His hard work and dedication, in the face of his diagnosis, are truly an example to all of us.”

To interview Don, contact Deanna Eagle at Initiate PR, 917.837.5866. To interview Brian Davis or get more information, contact 360.909.0211.