Northeast Ohio Medical University students Hunter Bonfiglio, Alex Keith and Nick Sciaretti finished the grueling 75 mile Tuscazoar Endurance Race early this morning. These second year NEOMED medical students tied for second in their age group and exceeded their fundraising goal by raising over $60,000 for Parkinson’s research.
Hunter, Alex and Nick decided to train for this event and use it as a way to raise awareness and support for Parkinson’s research after seeing my story last year.
My husband, John and I joined them for a few miles near the 50 mile point last evening. The course was incredibly challenging with almost 10,000 feet of climbing over the 75 mile course on single track trail with no shortage of obstacles along the way. It was hot and humid, with a downpour of rain mid day.
Lindsey Loftus, of the NEOMED advancement office, and an accomplished ultramarathon runner himself, along with their friends and family, supported these 3 at the event and helped with fundraising over the past few months.
Lindsey Loftus of the NEOMED Advancement Office spearheaded the support team.
I enjoyed meeting the proud families of these 3 young men who as medical students found the time to not only better themselves through exercise, but to help and inspire others along the way.
If you would like to support their efforts and Parkinson’s research at NEOMED, click here.
NEOMED Parkinson’s Researcher, Dr. Sheila Fleming is doing incredible work, studying the ways that exercise affects the brains in Parkinsons’. We hope that by understanding the processes taking place we can find other ways to slow or perhaps stop the progression of this disease.
Thank you for your support.
Go Walking (Running) Whales!
