Runner to Raise $3000 at the 2013 BMO Vancouver Marathon to Honour Father
Vancouver, BC – March 15, 2013 – Observing her father’s ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease is Missy Spangler’s inspiration to run for Team Fox of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) at the BMO Vancouver Marathon on May 5th, 2013.
Spangler’s father was diagnosed with the deteriorative disease at the early age of 39, forcing him to take premature retirement from his teaching and coaching career where he inspired so many people. Spangler’s mother, also a teacher, now dedicates herself to being her husband’s caretaker as well as working full-time.
“To see the toughest man I have ever known slowly lose his motor skills, the ability to speak and to even hold a cup has been heartbreaking,” says Spangler. “The Team Fox family has been such a blessing to us, and I’m doing it for all of them”.
As one of the BMO Vancouver Marathon’s official Run4Hope charities, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson’s today. Since their inception in 2006, MJFF has raised an astounding $20 million for Parkinson’s research.
Charity runners for the BMO Vancouver Marathon must individually raise a minimum of $1,000; Spangler’s fundraising goal is to bring in $3,000 for Team Fox prior to race day. Her fundraising goal for the entire year is an admirable $15,000.
As part of the BMO Vancouver Marathon’s new Run4Hope charity program, runners are able to raise fund for, or donate to, over 20 charities. The goal is to raise $1 million and make a difference in dozens of local and national communities. Charity runners, such as Spangler, receive a free entry, a running clinic, fundraising support and other special race‐weekend perks and benefits.
About The Vancouver International Marathon Society
The BMO Vancouver Marathon and Half Marathon is organized and operated by the Vancouver International Marathon Society, a non-profit organization. The event is Canada’s largest marathon and has a 41-year history within Vancouver and the running community internationally. The event will take place on May 5, 2013, featuring the three point-to-point courses, showcasing the city’s famous landmarks, shorelines and neighbourhoods. The 2013 events will remain capped at 5,000 for the Marathon, 10,000 for the Half-Marathon, 2,000 for the 8km, 500 for 8km Teen Challenge and 500 for the Kids 1-Mile Fun run participants.
About BMO
BMO Bank of Montreal is proud to be in its eighth year as title sponsor of the BMO Vancouver Marathon. BMO supports the running community through sponsorship of marathon events in Vancouver, Kelowna, Charlottetown, Phoenix, Arizona, and Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin. BMO has a long and proud history of supporting sports in Canada. We believe our ties with sports reflect some of our most deeply held corporate values, such as contributing positively to a healthy quality of life in the community, and promoting the achievements of people, regardless of age or ability.
Media Contacts:
- Charlene Krepiakevich, Executive Director, Vancouver International Marathon Society, Office: 604-872-2928, [email protected]
- Laurie Grant, BMO Media Relations, 604-665-7596, [email protected]
- Twitter: @bmovanmarathon, @runvancanada