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Mother’s Day Meso Run is a 501(c)3 non-profit created by a group of friends dedicated to fighting mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. We organize an annual 5K run/walk on a trail in Griffith Park on Mother's Day weekend, to raise awareness about mesothelioma and support critical research on new treatments. We look forward to seeing you at Griffith Park on the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend.

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Why Mesothelioma?

 

Mesothelioma is a rare but deadly cancer. Caused by exposure to asbestos, this cancer typically attacks the lining of the lungs or the lining of the abdomen. Those diagnosed with mesothelioma are faced with difficult treatments and poor prognoses. Funding for and research on treatments for mesothelioma lag behind those for other cancers. And although some immunotherapy treatments seem promising, they are still experimental.

 

Who is our 2020 race beneficiary?

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The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is a non-profit, charity organization dedicated to ending mesothelioma and the suffering caused by it, by funding research, providing education and support for patients and their families, and by advocating for federal funding of mesothelioma research. Patients and their families rely on the Meso Foundation's guidance in making challenging decisions about treatment options and support in navigating the stages of this cancer.

 

We at Mother’s Day Meso Run wholeheartedly believe in the Meso Foundation and its role in supporting mesothelioma research and awareness.  We are pleased to benefit the Meso Foundation through our 2020 5K run/walk.

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Why Mother’s Day weekend and why a run in a park?

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This is the hardest part to write. Our Board Chair, Julia, lost her mom to peritoneal mesothelioma on May 4, 2017, just one week before Mother’s Day. Julia’s mom, Patty, was an avid explorer and hiker. She climbed Kilimanjaro, trekked in Nepal, and backpacked to Machu Picchu. Patty also was a lifelong runner, most recently religiously running a 3-mile running route at home in Santa Barbara. She also loved the outdoors. Patty spent years developing education programs to help children learn about California’s native plants. And she instilled in her own children a deep appreciation for nature that sticks with them today.

 

So in honor of Patty, and for all the other moms, dads, and kids affected by mesothelioma, our run is on the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend and on a trail in a park.

 

The Meso Foundation proved an invaluable resource for Patty and her family as they navigated her difficult mesothelioma journey - yet another reason why we are proud to benefit the Meso Foundation this year.

 

Where can you learn more about mesothelioma and asbestos?

 

We are grateful to the Meso Foundation for providing helpful information about mesothelioma and different patient treatments. More information is available at their website: https://www.curemeso.org.

 

We are also grateful to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, a 501(c)3 that advocates to eliminate asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma. Specifically, ADAO works with public health organizations and passionate leaders throughout the world to prevent consumer, environmental, and occupational exposure to asbestos. Learn more about ADAO and asbestos risk at: https://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.