NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A wave of 100 runners for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) PowerTeam climbed the Empire State Building Wednesday to escalate cancer research. The MMRF is a cancer research foundation dedicated to the relentless pursuit and acceleration of new treatments to extend the lives of patients and lead to a cure of multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.
The Empire State Building Run-Up Powered by the MMRF, staged by the New York Road Runners, is one of the most elite running events in the world. Only 5,000 people in the race’s 35 year history have earned the bragging rights of reaching the finish line on the 86th-floor Observation Deck. As the title sponsor of the race, the MMRF received the exclusive opportunity to fill a charity wave of 100 spots with MMRF PowerTeam members, each of whom committed to raise a minimum of $2500 for the MMRF.
“Our PowerTeam participants love that the MMRF is not only transforming the landscape of cancer research, but that the organization is so widely recognized for its exceptional fiscal responsibility. Very much like the MMRF, a drive for excellence, innovation and performance are what makes these men and women tick,” stated Alicia O’Neill, MMRF Endurance Events Program Manager. “Their competitive nature got them to the finish line as they helped the MMRF raise more than $500,000.”
The MMRF wave included 15 corporate teams of three participants each. For the second year, the MMRF recognized the team who raised the most funds for the cancer foundation and the fastest team. This year both the Spirit of Giving Cup and the NYC Triumph Cup were awarded to a three-person team from Goldman Sachs, who raised more than $35,000. Participants included employees from Barclays, Celgene Corporation, Citi, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, Google, JP Morgan-Chase, Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company, Morgan Stanley, Royal Bank of Canada, S.A.C. Capital, Watermill Institutional Trading and Wells Fargo. Millennium, the pharmaceutical company that developed VELCADE®, was a Gold Level Sponsor of the Empire State Building Run-Up.
Brian Kuritzky, of Goldman Sachs, was invited to join 22 of the most formidable “tower champions” from around the world in the event's elite invitational heat. Kuritzky earned his way to the front pack due to his strong 13:38 finish as part of the MMRF wave last year. This year, Brian received generous support prior to the race and secured additional pledges of $10,000 for every person he passed, an impressive goal given the competition. Brian’s time was 12:52 and he passed 3 people. All told, he raised $100,000 for the MMRF.
To learn more about the MMRF PowerTeam for the Empire State Building Run-Up Powered by the MMRF, please visit: www.active.com/donate/2012MMRFRunUp.
About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) was established in 1998 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by twin sisters Karen Andrews and Kathy Giusti, soon after Kathy's diagnosis with multiple myeloma. The mission of the MMRF is to relentlessly pursue innovative means that accelerate the development of next-generation multiple myeloma treatments to extend the lives of patients and lead to a cure. As the world's number-one private funder of multiple myeloma research, the MMRF has raised over $190 million since its inception and directs 90% of total budget to research and related programming. As a result, the MMRF has been awarded Charity Navigator’s coveted four star rating for nine consecutive years, the highest designation for outstanding fiscal responsibility and exceptional efficiency. For more information about the MMRF, please visit www.themmrf.org.
About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) Endurance Events Program
The MMRF Endurance Program offers runners, cyclists and triathletes access to coveted entries for world class events like the Empire State Building Run-Up, the ING New York City Marathon and the NYC Half Marathon. Other events include the TD Bank Five Boro Bike Tour, New York City Triathlon, Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon and Boston Marathon among others. Since its inception in 2008, the MMRF Endurance Events Program has raised more than $5 million. For more information, please visit: http://themmrf.org/enduranceevents.
About Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company
Millennium is a leading biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Mass., markets VELCADE, and has a robust clinical development pipeline of product candidates. The Company’s research, development and commercialization activities are focused in oncology. Additional information about Millennium is available through its website, www.millennium.com.
About the Empire State Building
Soaring 1,454 feet (from base to antenna) above Midtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building is the “World’s Most Famous Office Building.” With new investments in infrastructure, public areas and amenities, the Empire State Building has attracted first-rate tenants in a diverse array of industries from around the world. The skyscraper’s robust broadcasting technology supports all major television and FM radio stations in the New York metropolitan market. The Empire State Building was named America’s favorite building in a poll conducted by the American Institute of Architects. The Empire State Building Observatory is one of the world’s most beloved attractions and is the region’s #1 tourist destination. For more information on the Empire State Building, please visit www.esbnyc.com.
New York Road Runners
Headquartered in New York City, New York Road Runners is dedicated to advancing the sport of running, enhancing health and fitness for all, and meeting our community’s needs. Our goal is to use the expertise acquired in our 53-year history to empower all people to live fitter, healthier lives through participation in our races, community events, instruction and training resources, and youth programs. Our races and other events draw more than 300,000 people each year. The ING New York City Marathon, NYRR’s premier event, is the largest and most inclusive marathon in the world, attracting the world’s top professional runners every year and raising $34 million for charity in 2011. NYRR’s running-based youth programs, which currently serve more than 100,000 children in hundreds of schools and community centers, promote children’s health and fitness, character development, and personal achievement in underserved communities. For more information, visit www.nyrr.org.
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