Team AANMA 2012

Team AANMA Goes the Distance in

Marine Corps Marathon

Team AANMA, 28 runners from across the U.S., competed in the Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 28, 2012 in Washington, DC. Their goal: to prove that asthma and EIB don’t slow you down when you’re fully informed, trained and equipped for the challenge. Read a letter from team member Anna Mae Pierce about what participating in the race meant to her, and stay tuned for more updates!

Team AANMA runners assemble before dawn at the Pentagon, l. to r. Pam O’Keefe, Katie Rusu, Kushal Dave’, Jennifer Grimsich-Yenawine and Larry Evans.

Team AANMA’s cheering section on the National Mall gave runners an extra boost at mile marker 19

The team raised more than $14,000 in support of Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA), the leading non-profit organization for people and families with asthma, allergies, EIB and related conditions.

On Oct. 25-27, thousands of attendees visited the AANMA booth at the Health and Fitness Expo by GE at the DC Armory in Washington, DC. Staff heard countless inspiring stories, while also disseminating practical, family-friendly information about asthma, allergies and exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB). Many took advantage of the free spirometry lung function and exhaled nitric oxide tests that were offered on Friday and Saturday.

Top fundraisers recognized at the Team AANMA Awards Dinner on Oct. 26 at Carmine’s restaurant were, l. to r., Tracy Rivers, Carla Adkins and Gary Wilhelm.

Ilsy Terrell, a volunteer Respiratory Therapist from INOVA Fairfax Hospital, administers a spirometry lung function test at AANMA’s Health & Fitness Expo booth.

Kathy Hodgdon of Aerocrine assists a test subject with the NIOX MINO exhaled nitric oxide measurement device at the Health & Fitness Expo.

Team AANMA is sponsored by TEVA Respiratory.

Below is a list of Team AANMA runners and their finish times:

FIRST	LAST	AGE	TIME	HOMETOWN	STATE
Gary	Wilhelm	45	3:53	Woodstock	MD
Renee	Thompson	40	4:01	Winchester	VA
Elizabeth	Bayless	43	4:13	Dallas	TX
Keely	Towson	37	4:14	Atlanta	GA
Anna	Pierce	36	4:16	Winchester	VA
Rick	Dexter	32	4:17	Orlando	FL
Jennifer	Grimsich-Yenawine	38	4:18	Westfield	NJ
Carolyn	Langille	43	4:19	Mt. Airy	MD
Catherine	Rusu	26	4:26	Silver Spring	MD
Kushal	Dave’	24	4:27	Pittsburgh	PA
Adriana	Nash	36	4:28	Brownsville	TX
Kelly	Murray	39	4:37	Edinburg	VA
Pamela	O’Keefe	28	4:44	Pittsburgh	PA
Debbie	Alford	46	4:50	Brownsville	TX
Marisa	Espindola	40	5:01	Brownsville	TX
Silvia	Pinel-Villalobos	41	5:11	Chester	NJ
Debbie	Ghassemi	44	5:20	Manassas	VA
Carla	Adkins	29	5:42	Brooklyn	NY
Tracy	Rivers	45	6:08	Upper Marlboro	MD
Maria	Merlo	55	6:12	Robbinsville	NJ
Angela	Merlo	54	6:20	Mullica Hill	NJ
Joyce	Richardson	50	6:22	Bowie	MD
Larry	Evans	66	6:28	Reston	VA

(Note: 5 Team AANMA runners were unable to participate in the marathon due to non-asthma-related illness or injury.)

Special thanks to TEVA Respiratory, the US-based respiratory specialty unit of worldwide TEVA Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd, as the official sponsor for Team AANMA

Meet Team AANMA
Marine Corps Marathon Runners!

For the first time, AANMA is fielding an A-Team for the annual Marine Corps Marathon, which will take place in Washington, DC on Sunday, October 28, 2012. A diverse group of 28 dedicated men and women are already hard at work raising money to end needless death and suffering from asthma, allergies and related conditions, and logging hundreds of miles every week in training runs. They hail from eight different states, the District of Columbia and New Zealand. Here are photos and thumbnail bios of some of them, to help you get acquainted.

	*Catherine “Katie” Rusu, Silver Spring, MD* Katie is a school counselor who has never run a full marathon, but who has the “running gene.” Her father, David Sevick (pictured), held the one mile record (4:25) at his Irwin, PA high school for 33 years and completed the 1990 Pittsburgh Marathon in 3 hours 40 minutes. Katie’s husband has asthma and allergies; and her young nephew, Max, was diagnosed with severe peanut and tree nut allergies following an anaphylactic reaction to a peanut butter cookie this past Christmas. Katie strives to live her life according to the advice she gives her students: “Be active, take advantage of all opportunities and find the positive part of each of life’s challenges.” Watch a video message from Katie Rusu and Pam O’Keefe!
	*Pam O’Keefe, Pittsburgh, PA* Pam is Katie Rusu’s cousin, so she must have inherited some of that running gene from their common ancestors. Asthma also “runs” in her family and her daughter has food allergies. Pam reports that she has “really gotten into running” over the past year, and the MCM will be her first marathon. She and Katie already have their own private competition going to see who will raise the most for AANMA. Watch a video message from Katie Rusu and Pam O’Keefe!
	*Kushal Dave´, Pittsburgh, PA*** Kushal is a 24 year old experienced marathon runner from Pittsburgh, PA who does not have asthma or allergies. He estimates that he will finish the 26.2 miles of the Marine Corps Marathon within four hours, which will put him in a dead heat with Carolyn Langille and Anna Pierce.
	*Larry Evans, Reston, VA* Larry refuses to reveal his age, but it’s safe to say that he is a “seasoned” runner, who is also an AANMA staffer. He managed to finish the 2011 Marine Corps Marathon, his first ever, in a time that he expects to beat this year. Most recently, he completed the Historic Half in Fredericksburg, VA in just under 2:30, so he was all smiles when George presented the finisher’s medal.
	Tracy Rivers, Bowie, MD Tracy Has asthma/EIB and relies on her trusty inhaler before and during her runs. She is running for kids who have allergies and asthma and who “deserve to breathe with ease.” Tracy is one of Team AANMA’s leading fundraisers to date.
	Rick Dexter, Orlando, FL Rick’s infant son, Gavin, has a severe peanut allergy, As Rick says, “Whether it is making sure to always have an EpiPen on hand, reading labels on food, or trying to educate loved ones around you, providing a safe environment for your child is not an easy task. When I was looking for a charity to support on my road to the Marine Corps Marathon I was excited to discover the Allergy and Asthma Network Team who play a critical role in education, advocacy, and raising awareness for this very important cause.”

	Nicholas (“Nick”) van Panhuys, New Zealand Dr. van Panhuys is based at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health in Washington, DC, where he currently resides. His research is focused on designing new treatments for allergic disease such as asthma, and improving the efficacy of anti-parasite vaccines. Nick states that, “Team AANMA seems to be the perfect way to combine my interest in allergy research, with my love of running and a way to give something back to the people who are the most generous supporters of the work I do.”
	Anna Pierce, Winchester, VA Anna has asthma, and this will be her first marathon. She’s been training hard and keeping her symptoms under control. Anna always carries an inhaler when running. She says it can be scary for her family when she has an attack, but she’s confident in her ability to perform well and she will finish right alongside her two running mates from Winchester, Julie Costin and Renee Thompson.
	Adriana Nash (l), Debbie Alford (c) and Marisa Espindola (r), Brownsville, TX Also better known as the “Browntown Hot Tamales”, Debbie, Marisa and Adriana are proud to represent the entire community of Brownsville, and they will be turning in some impressive finishing times. Debbie is the asthmatic runner of the trio; and Marisa’s three sons, Adrian and twins John and Noah, have asthma. Adriana works in healthcare and is most concerned about the availability of adequate asthma care and medications for low income, uninsured patients in her area. Watch a video message from Debbie! Check out the TV feature onthe Hot Tamales from KVEO
	Carolyn Langille, Mt. Airy, MD Carolyn is one of our “advanced” marathoners who looks to be a serious contender as she surges ahead of the pack in a recent event. In more tranquil moments, she spends time with her 8 year old son, Jake, who has peanut allergy, and who has learned to take responsibility for asking what’s in unfamiliar foods before tasting. Go Carolyn!!!
	April Cassiano, San Antonio, TX April is running for her hometown and for her daughter, Isabella, who had asthma as a baby and who still has allergies. They make a great team and we’re glad to have them on our team. You can support April and Isabella, too, by donating to Team AANMA.
	Denise Steinberg, Patchogue, NY Denise’s older son, Ryan, age 7, (pictured with mom and his younger brother, John), had quite a scare two years ago at his five year check-up. Ryan has both severe milk allergy and asthma, and he went into anaphylactic shock after being administered the DTaP vaccine containing trace amounts of milk proteins. He was hospitalized again two months later with digestive problems and experienced multiple asthma attacks during the following year. He’s doing great now; and he and John will be cheering for Denise on race day.
	Carla Adkins, Baltimore, MD (Recently relocated to Brooklyn, NY) Carla is another team member who has asthma/EIB and who doesn’t let symptoms hold her back from long-distance running. She uses her inhaler as needed, and has been competing in marathons for the past year and a half. She’s also been a top fundraiser for charity events in Baltimore and we’re fortunate to have her. Won’t be long until her daughter is running for Team AANMA, too!! Watch a video message from Carla.
	*Cindy Sue Goetz, Vero Beach, FL* Cindy’s not a newcomer to marathon competitions, but this will be her first Marine Corps race. She’s been training hard for it, as you can see in this video clip she recently shared with us.
	*Maria and Angela Merlo, Robbinsville and Mullica Hill, NJ* Maria and Angela are sisters, and, obviously, they’re a team when it comes to competing in running and cycling events. Maria works for Team AANMA’s sponsor, TEVA Respiratory, LC, and Angela is a physician. This will be the first marathon for Maria and the first Marine Corps Marathon for both runners. Maria shared this video of her recent 21.5 mile (!!) training run, and it looks like she’s ready to roll.