Team Eye and Ear 2008

MEEI is pleased to announce that it has finalized Team Eye and Ear to run the 2008 Boston Marathon. The 60-member team is diverse and dedicated. Runners span 40 years in age from 21 to 61. They are coming to Boston from 11 states across the country and from foreign countries. In fact, one runner is coming all the way from Dubai. While many have personal experiences as patients or employees of MEEI, they all share an enthusiasm for supporting the hospital's mission and bringing hope to people everywhere who suffer with conditions affecting sight, hearing, voice and balance. For the third year, Team Eye and Ear was made possible due to the generosity of John Hancock Financial Services.

Please help support our team members, as they have all committed to raising $3,000 each to help fund hope for those individuals who suffer with conditions affecting sight, hearing, voice and balance.

Matt Benvenuti (Medford, MA): An avid recreational soccer player, one of Matthew’s personal goals has always been to run a marathon. However, Matt wants to run with MEEI because he wants to make a difference in others’ lives; he is raising money to advance patient care at MEEI. To support Matt Benvenuti, please visit www.firstgiving.com/MattBenvenuti.

Nicole Brown (Winchester, MA): Nicole is an occupational therapist in the department of Vision Rehabilitation at MEEI. She sees patients who all have low vision (vision of 20/70 or lower) who feel the difficult impact it has on every aspect of their daily lives. Nicole sees first-hand how vision loss can lead individuals to feel like they have lost their independence and self-efficacy, which often results in depression. She also sees how, through vision rehab, patients can regain their life again by re-learning how to complete daily tasks with their vision disability. In her own words, “I hope that through research, care, and rehabilitation, people will not suffer as much from vision loss in the future.” Dr. Mary Lou Jackson, the Director of Vision Rehab, is also joining Nicole on Team Eye and Ear. To support Nicole Brown, please visit www.firstgiving.com/NicoleBrown

Dana Brundage (Jamaica Plain, MA): As a first-time marathon runner, Dana has stepped right up to the challenge to run the Boston Marathon, one of her dreams, as well as raise money to help those in need. It has always been important for Dana to be involved with non-profit organizations, having touched many throughout the Boston community through BostonCares, a volunteer group, over the past four years. To support Dana Brundage, please visit www.firstgiving.com/DanaBrundage.

Katie Carr (New York, NY): Running her second marathon, Katie Carr joined Team Eye and Ear to provide purpose and meaning to her running this marathon. Katie is running to raise funds for hearing-loss research. To support Katie Carr, please visit www.firstgiving.com/KatieCarr.

Lucas Carr (Norwood, MA): Specialist Carr has been stationed in the army in Hawaii since returning from Iraq in October. Lucas is excited to fly back to Boston, near his hometown of Norwood, to run the Boston Marathon. During his time with the army, Spc. Carr has completed many training programs and schools, and has received many prestigious medals and badges. Lucas is running this, his third Boston Marathon, in memory of his best friend, Corporal Jessy Pollard, who was lost this past August when his Blackhawk Helicopter crashed in Northern Iraq. In his own words, “Corporal Pollard was always about helping people. He would go to uncharted areas to help anyone he knew.” To support Lucas Carr, please visit www.firstgiving.com/LucasCarr.

Jon Cohen (New York, NY): Having been a past team member and having lived in Boston, Jon knows MEEI’s reputation for exceptional patient care, research, and teaching. Jon is raising funds and hope for research at MEEI. To support Jon Cohen, please contact Kristina Sym at (617) 573-6364 orKristina_Sym@meei.harvard.edu.

Brad Dean (Needham, MA): While serving in the U.S. Peace Corps in Mulawi, Africa from 1996 to 1998, Brad began running for a little peace of mind and for a healthy balance of work vs. play. Since this time, Brad has run a full marathon in San Francisco and a few half marathons, including one in Australia. In his own words, “I truly enjoy planning and preparing for challenges and taking my body to the limit. The Boston Marathon is the next big challenge and I look forward to the fans, energy level and running for a good cause.” When not running, Brad works in the clinical research industry for Synarc, a Medical Imaging/Patient Recruitment company. To support Brad Dean, please contact Kristina Sym at (617) 573-6364 or Kristina_Sym@meei.harvard.edu.

Timothy Decker (Verona, NJ): The 2008 Boston Marathon will be Timothy’s 132^nd marathon! For Timothy, an editorial production manager for a publishing group in New York City, the marathons just seemed to add up over the years. In his own words, “I enjoy running them, it's been a great way to see some of the world and I'm sort of hard-wired to seek out and/or create crazy and impossible challenges for myself.” To support Timothy Decker, please contact Kristina Sym at (617) 573-6364 or Kristina_Sym@meei.harvard.edu.

Susan Demuth (Boston, MA): Susan is a Commercial Real Estate Investment broker and mother of four children. She is running for her dad, who has macular degeneration. In her own words, “I am thrilled to be part of Team Eye and Ear.” This will be Susan’s first marathon. To support Susan Demuth, please visit www.firstgiving.com/SusanDemuth.

Shawn DosSantos (New York, NY): Running his first marathon, Shawn joined Team Eye and Ear because it was a cause that was close to his heart. In his own words, “Over a decade ago, my eyes were infected by a virus and my vision began to deteriorate. Through the efforts of caring and dedicated professionals I was able to get most of my sight back. Vision is obviously such a vital part of human activity and everyday living and something that many of us take for granted. After all, as an art director at an ad agency, it is my vision that really pays the bills. As someone who has lost and regained his sight I feel very grateful and this is a wonderful opportunity for me to give back to an organization that has given so much back to me.” To support Shawn DosSantos, please visit www.firstgiving.com/ShawnDosSantos.

Christine Dowling (Watertown, MA): As a past team member, Christine has had the pleasure of attending MEEI’s annual Reynolds Society Dinner, an inspirational event held annually each fall for MEEI’s most generous donors. In her own words, “I was very encouraged by the generosity of the various donors. Also, the doctors who spoke were very unassuming in directing the majority of their praise to their staff and families. In addition, the speeches given by the patients made me realize how extremely fortunate I am to have my health and to be able to participate in the Boston Marathon.” Christine joins Team Eye and Ear for her fourth marathon. To support Christine Dowling, please contact Kristina Sym at (617) 573-6364 or Kristina_Sym@meei.harvard.edu.

Danielle Dreger (Boston, MA): A young-adult librarian for the Boston Public Library, Danielle has always had the dream of running the Boston Marathon. Joining Team Eye and Ear only seemed logical. As a child, Danielle lost nearly 20% of her hearing by two years of age. Danielle is raising funds for otolaryngology research. In her own words, “I like knowing that I’m running not just for myself, but for someone else’s health.” To support Danielle Dreger, please visit www.firstgiving.com/DanielleDreger.

Helen Drown (Weymouth, MA): Helen, a nurse at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, joined Team Eye and Ear to run for her childhood friend, Denise Girard, whom she first met in first grade. Denise is legally blind, having lost a significant portion of her vision to Ocular Histoplasmosis, a rare disease of the retina. Helen has visited MEEI many times with Denise for diagnosis and treatment.  In her own words, “It is a blessing to me to raise money for a worthy cause and one which has such personal association.  Denise inspires me with her positive attitude and her determination to live life fully.” To support Helen Drown, please visit www.firstgiving.com/HelenDrown.

Benjamin Dunay (Chelsea, MA): This will be Benjamin’s first marathon. Benjamin has joined Team Eye and Ear because his cousin had an accident several years back and was treated at MEEI for burns on his face and eye injuries. In his own words, “this is a great opportunity to give back to MEEI.” To support Benjamin Dunay, please visit www.firstgiving.com/BDunay.

Jason Emsley (Cambridge, MA): For several years now, Jason has been an ophthalmology patient at MEEI. An avid runner, this is Jason’s first marathon. When he’s not training for the marathon and spending time with his wife and infant daughter, Jason is a neuroscientist at MGH, just across the street from the MEEI. In his own words, “Running this year’s Boston Marathon is both a dream come true and a chance to make a direct contribution to the excellent patient care available at the MEEI. Working within the Harvard Medical School system has given me the great opportunity to get to know many of the excellent scientists and students working at MEEI. Their work towards treatments for vision and hearing problems inspires me as I train for this historic race.” To support Jason Emsley, please visit www.firstgiving.com/JasonEmsley.

Richard Firth (Dubai, United Arab Emerates): Richard, 62, will be traveling all the way from Dubai to run the Boston Marathon, his first marathon, with Team Eye and Ear! His son, Dr. Paul Firth, is an anesthesiologist at MEEI.

Meghan Fitzgerald (Boston, MA): Meghan, 23, is an account coordinator and is excited to run with Team Eye and Ear! In her own words, “To me, it is important to run for a program that has the commitment to excellence that MEEI has.” This will be Meghan’s first marathon; Meghan is fundraising for otolaryngology patient care. To support Meghan Fitzgerald, please visit www.firstgiving.com/MeghanFitzgerald.

Lisa Fleming (Winchester, MA): Lisa, an occupational therapist, is excited to be party of Team Eye and Ear for her 12th marathon. Lisa is running for a very close friend of hers who has had several eye surgeries at MEEI. To support Lisa Fleming, please visit www.firstgiving.com/lisafleming.

Alison Fralick (Hayward, CA): Alison was inspired to join the team by her brother, John Torrey, who is also a Team Eye and Ear member. In her own words, “It usually takes someone stepping up to inspire others. My grandfather had glaucoma, and my mother has been legally blind since she was a kid. My brother inspired me to get involved here.” Having had great experiences participating in the 3-Day Walk for Breast Cancer in previous years, Alison decided to jump on board for MEEI’s great cause. Alison is a math teacher in Hayward, CA. To support Alison Fralick, please visit www.firstgiving.com/AlisonFralickAndJohnTorrey.

Mary Grzybinski (Holbrook, MA): Mary, a nurse a Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, is joining Team Eye and Ear because MEEI’s mission is close to her heart. In her own words, “Having a mother who is legally blind makes me realize the need for more help out there for the elderly. Her life is severely affected due to her disability. It is difficult for her to do things that we take for granted. Any way that would help millions of others like her would be a blessing.” Mary is raising money and hope for ophthalmology research. To support Mary Grzybinski, please visit www.firstgiving.com/MaryGrzybinski.

Carlos Herrera (Cambridge, MA): Carlos, a Finance Manager, is excited to be part of Team Eye and Ear for his first Boston Marathon. Carlos joined Team Eye and Ear because after living in Boston for two years, he felt like he needed to give back to the community in which he lives. In his own words, “I’d like to contribute to a good cause while at the same time maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle.” To support Carlos Herrera, please visit www.firstgiving.com/CarlosHerrera.

Mary Lou Jackson (Wellesley, MA): Dr. Mary Lou Jackson is the Director of Vision Rehabilitation at MEEI. Dr. Jackson oversees a staff of seven and sees patients who have, for whatever cause, diminished vision that impacts their day-to-day function. The task of her team is to assist those patients to train to use their remaining sight, with devices, with techniques or with alternate strategies, so that they are able to do the things they need, and want, to do. In her own words, “Our patients learn to listen to the newspaper by dialing a service called Newsline on their cell phones. They read recipes under a video camera magnifier and our occupational therapists assist them to make modifications in their homes to enhance safety and independence.” Nicole Brown, an occupational therapist in Vision Rehab., is also a part of Team Eye and Ear with Dr. Jackson. Dr. Jackson is raising money for Vision Rehab. To support Mary Lou Jackson, please visit www.firstgiving.com/MaryLouJackson

Peggy Kelley (Woburn, MA): Peggy sees the quality of patient care that occurs everyday at MEEI, as she is a nurse in the operating room at MEEI. Although this will be Peggy’s first time running the Boston Marathon, it will be her third marathon overall. Peggy is raising funds for otolaryngology research. To support Peggy Kelley, please visit www.firstgiving.com/PeggyKelley.

Bob Kiskaddon (Weston, MA): Dr. Kiskaddon knows the mission of MEEI well, as he is the President of the Medical Staff and has had an association with MEEI for 23 years. After 45 years of distance running running, participating in the Boston Marathon is a major career event and challenge for Dr. Kiskaddon. Dr. Kiskaddon is raising money for Otolaryngology patient care, research and teaching. To support Bob Kiskaddon, please visit www.firstgiving.com/BobKiskaddon.

Timothy Lawlor (Somers, CT): This spring, Timothy will complete his senior year at Boston College, along with running his first marathon. Timothy is also excited about the opportunity to raise funds for hope. To support Timothy Lawlor, please visit www.firstgiving.com/TimothyLawlor.

Merrit Lee (Brighton, MA): Merritt, 25, is a teacher at the May Institute, which provides services for children and adults with autism. In her own words, “While MEEI is different than the school where I work… I believe that there are similarities. The students I work with each day have the ability to see and hear, but many will remain non-verbal. In this way, they suffer from a similar disability that demands attention and support from people who have the desire and ability to help. By running the Boston Marathon, I will be able to combine two major passions: helping special needs organizations and running long distances.” To support Merritt Lee, please visit www.firstgiving.com/MerrittELee.

Amy Leedham (Boston, MA): Amy, 23, is an architectural designer. An avid runner, Amy is excited to be running her first marathon with Team Eye and Ear. To support Amy Leedham, please contact Kristina Sym at (617) 573-6364 or Kristina_Sym@meei.harvard.edu.

Thomas Leveroni (Chicago, IL): Having grown up in Boston, Thomas is very familiar with patient care at, and the reputation of, MEEI. In his own words, “I have so much respect for Boston hospitals and know what an important part fundraising plays in keeping them first rate so that they can continue to lead the nation and world in the quest to provide quality care for those in need and to advance critical research.” Thomas now lives in Chicago and is a principal at a financial company. To support Thomas Leveroni, please visit www.firstgiving.com/TomLeveroni.

Carrie Lo (San Francisco, CA): An avid runner, Carrie is excited to be joining Team Eye and Ear for her fourth marathon. To support Carrie Lo, please visit www.firstgiving.com/CarrieLo.

Cheryle Malia (Winchester, CA): Cheryle is excited to be training to run her third Boston Marathon with Team Eye and Ear, having participated with other charity-marathon programs in the past. To support Cheryle Malia, please visit www.firstgiving.com/CheryleMalia.

Tracy Maurer (Hopkinton, MA): As a critical care nurse, Tracy has enjoyed running as an outlet. In her own words, “If I can combine my passion for running with fundraising for such a worthy cause, all the better!” To support Tracy Maurer, please visit www.firstgiving.com/TracyMaurer.

Holly Motes (Boise, ID): Holly is not a stranger to running marathons. As a member of the 50 State Running Club, Holly has run over 45 marathons! Holly is raising funds for Otolaryngology research. To support Holly Motes, please visit www.firstgiving.com/HollyMotes.

Eric Nelson (Dallas, TX): After his wife qualified for the Boston Marathon, Eric, with his wife’s persuasion, decided to run the Boston Marathon along with her to make a difference. That is the day Eric decided to run for a charity. In his own words, “I think it would be very fulfilling to accomplish a goal while having an impact on your research and patients’ lives.” As the general assignments department head for the Dallas Morning News, Eric plans to write something for his newspaper about his marathon experience. To support Eric Nelson, please visit www.firstgiving.com/EricNelson1.

Kim Olds (Boston, MA): Since running her first marathon, Kim got the “marathon bug” and is excited to be running her third marathon with Team Eye and Ear. In her own words, “There is no better motivation than raising money for a good cause and having a physical sacrifice connected to it.” To support Kim Olds, please visit www.firstgiving.com/KimOlds.

Alexandria Papa (Falmouth, MA): Alexandria, 22, will be running her second marathon with Team Eye and Ear. Alexandria will be raising funds for ophthalmology and otolaryngology research. To support Alexandria Papa, please visit www.firstgiving.com/AlexandriaPapa.

Alex Pierson (Weston, MA): Alex found his experience as a 2007 Team Eye and Ear member to be life changing – he lost 60 pounds and changed his lifestyle, with both exercise and eating habits. Alex has ran in over 26 races, including the Chicago Marathon and five half-marathons. Alex is excited to join Team Eye and Ear again this year to help fund hope for those individuals suffering from eye, ear, nose, throat, head, and neck disorders. To sponsor Alex Pierson, please visit www.firstgiving.com/AlexPierson.

Alicia Priselac (South Boston, MA): Alicia, 28, is a librarian who loves to run, read, ski and hang out with her friends and family. She is excited to be joining Team Eye and Ear, as this will be her first marathon! Alicia is enthusiastically training and fundraising and documenting her progress in her online blog (www.got2trotlibrarian.blogspot.com). To support Alicia Priselac, please visit www.firstgiving.com/AliciaPriselac.

Bill Ramon (Medford, MA): Bill had such great training, fundraising, and marathon memories from his participation with Team Eye and Ear in 2007, he decided to join the team again this year. Bill will once again be raising funds for the Eaton-Peabody Laboratory of Auditory Physiology in memory of his late grandfather, Rufus Grason. To support Bill Ramon, please visit www.firstgiving.com/BillRamon.

Suzi Reynolds (Boston, MA): Suzi is doing what she does best: raising funds for retina research, but this time by running the Boston Marathon. In 2004, Suzi created the Finney Retina Research Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the growing problem of vision loss due to macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. The initial inspiration came from watching her mother struggle with severe vision problems caused by macular degeneration. The foundation’s goals are to raise funds for research and to increase awareness about the growing problem of vision loss due to these diseases. The Finney Retina Research Foundation celebrated its fourth Guys for Eyes Calendar and its first Guys for Eyes fashion show this past fall. To support Suzi Reynolds, please visit www.firstgiving.com/SuziReynolds

Jennifer Riley (Woburn, MA): Jennifer will run her seventh marathon with Team Eye and Ear for a cause that is close to her heart. Her mother, a patient, was diagnosed with macular degeneration last summer. In her own words, “We had a scare. Her retina detached in her ‘good’ eye and she got emergency laser surgery at MEEI to save her vision.” Jennifer is raising funds for macular degeneration patient care and research. To support Jennifer Riley, please contact Kristina Sym at (617) 573-6364 or Kristina_Sym@meei.harvard.edu.

Anita Ritenour (Bedford, MA): Anita know how important patient care, research and teaching is, as she works at Eliot Hospital. Anita is raising funds for glaucoma and other eye diseases.

Donald Roach III (Somerville, MA): As a first time marathon runner, Donald is excited to be joining Team Eye and Ear. Donald is raising funds for research. To support Donald Roach III , please contact Kristina Sym at (617) 573-6364 or Kristina_Sym@meei.harvard.edu.

Lisa Robbins (Sherborn, MA): Lisa knows MEEI’s mission well, as her father is a neck cancer survivor. Lisa is raising funds for otolaryngology equipment improvement. To support Lisa Robbins, please contact Kristina Sym at (617) 573-6364 or Kristina_Sym@meei.harvard.edu.

Edward Rocha (Boston, MA): Edward joins Team Eye and Ear for his first marathon. Edward, however, is no stranger to giving back. Over the past six years, he has helped orphans in Latin America, individuals with brain-related disorders, and volunteered throughout Boston. Edward is raising funds for ophthalmology and otolaryngology research. To support Edward Rocha, please visit www.firstgiving.com/EdwardRocha.

Mike Russell (Brentwood, TN): Over the past five years, Mike has completed 20 half-marathons. An avid out-doors-man from Tennessee, Mike joins Team Eye and Ear for his first full marathon. To support Mike Russell, please contact Kristina Sym at (617) 573-6364 or Kristina_Sym@meei.harvard.edu.

Brett Sears (Albany, NY): Brett’s son, Owen, was born in August of 2007 and was diagnosed with newborn congenital glaucoma at birth and was immediately referred to a doctor at MEEI. Owen has had 4 surgeries at MEEI thus far and is doing great.  In his own words, “Although each visit to MEEI is stressful, our days there are made so much more bearable because of the incredible nursing, technical, and administrative staff. We are so grateful for all the support we receive at MEEI, and the mission of MEEI is so important that we wanted to help raise funds for this great hospital.” Brett is raising funds for glaucoma research and patient care. To support Brett Sears, please visitwww.firstgiving.com/BrettSears.

Katie Smith (Lexington, MA): Katie will be joining Team Eye and Ear to run her first marathon. Katie is running for her brother, who had an accident twenty years ago, which caused him to lose his eye. In her own words, “With the care and treatment provided by MEEI, he has been able to lead a very successful, fulfilling life despite his disability.” To support Katie Smith, please visit www.firstgiving.com/KTSmith. To support Katie Smith, please visitwww.firstgiving.com/KTSmith.

Geneva Soulier (Winchester, MA): In her own words, “I am running for a good friend and former boss, Rod Snow. Rod is an attorney in Salt Lake City, Utah who lost his voice box to cancer in 2004. A local Salt Lake City paper said of Rod, “A gifted orator, the Salt Lake attorney was ‘the voice,’ a man who could move you to tears or engage your attention with a simple inflection change. He was a storyteller, a persuader, a teacher, a singer with a rich tenor – and his voice was a crucial tool. What they wouldn’t remove was his sense of humor, often irreverent and unexpected, or his determination to reclaim his place in the courtroom and the pulpit, to maintain the life he treasures.” It is a pleasure to know Rod and his family. My mother always had on her wall a quote that said, ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.’ Rod has shown me the importance of taking a step forward instead of back.” To support Geneva Soulier, please visitwww.firstgiving.com/GenevaSoulier.

Mary Snyder (Boise, ID): As a member of the 50 States Running Club, Mary has run over 30 marathons. Mary is excited to be joining Team Eye and Ear this year and to raise hope for those individuals suffering from eye, ear, nose, throat, head and neck disorders. To support Mary Snyder, please visitwww.firstgiving.com/MarySnyder.

Henry St. John (Fitchburg, MA): Henry, 46, had gastric bypass surgery in October of 2003. Prior to his surgery, he had sleep apnea and was on 7 different medications for high blood pressure and cholesterol. Following the operation, Henry started going to the gym 6 days a week and promised himself that if he was ever physically able to run, he would. Henry is now off of all medications and no longer has sleep apnea. He has also remarkably lost 210 pounds. In his own words: “My future father-in-law had cancer in his throat and was treated at MEEI. Without that treatment, I would have not had the opportunity to meet him. When I decided I wanted to run the Boston Marathon for charity, MEEI was an obvious choice.” Henry is recording his progress through his online blog (henrysmarathonblog.blogspot.com). To support Henry St. John, please visit www.firstgiving.com/HenryStJohn.

Alexis Snyder-Smith (Colorado Springs, CO): Alexis has been diagnosed with Retinopathy of Prematurity. She has lost all of her vision in her left eye and is legally blind in her right eye, but corrects to 20/60 with a contact lens. She is concerned that she will loose the rest of her vision in her right eye. Alexis is familiar with MEEI, as she received care here when she lived in Boston in the 1970s. In her own words, “Running for a group that is on the cutting edge of vision treatment and research would feel like I was doing something for all of us who struggle with vision issues.” Alexis is raising funds and hope for those suffering from retinal diseases. To support Alexis Snyder-Smith, please contact Kristina Sym at (617) 573-6364 or Kristina_Sym@meei.harvard.edu.

Emily Stear (Needham, MA): For Emily, 26, running has always been a great hobby and fitness activity. She is excited to join Team Eye and Ear for her first marathon. To support Emily Stear, please visit www.firstgiving.com/EmilyStear.

Jessica Travis (Boston, MA): As a hospital account manager for Alcon Laboratories, a leading eye care company, Jessica is familiar with the quality of patient care, research and teaching at MEEI. Jessica is excited to be joining Team Eye and Ear and has dedicated to raising funds for ophthalmology research. To support Jessica Travis, please visit www.firstgiving.com/JessicaTravis.

John Torrey (San Mateo, CA): John decided to join teammate and sister, Alison Fralick, for the 2008 Boston Marathon with Team Eye and Ear. John is raising funds for otolaryngology patient care. To support John Torrey, please visit www.firstgiving.com/AlisonFralickAndJohnTorrey.

Mary Troy (Boston, MA): Mary, 23, is excited to be a part of Team Eye and Ear for the Boston Marathon. This will be Mary’s first marathon; she will be raising funds for ophthalmology and otolaryngology research. To support Mary Troy, please visit www.firstgiving.com/MaryTroy.

Katie Turck (Cambridge, MA): As a registered nurse at Mass. General Hospital, Katie has the opportunity to help patients in a direct manner. Many of her patients have vision or hearing deficits and need assistance with day-to-day activities. She is excited to have found another way to impact the lives of others while achieving one of her greatest personal goals. In setting such a lofty goal Katie also hopes to inspire family, friends, and others to imagine what is possible with focus, determination, and heart. This is Katie's first marathon. To support Katie Turck, please visit www.firstgiving.com/KatieTurck.

Marie Umile (Charlestown, MA): Maria is excited to join Team Eye and Ear for her first marathon. Maria is raising funds for otolaryngology patient care. To support Maria Umile, please visit www.firstgiving.com/MariaUmile.

Rafal Urban (Portland, ME): Rafal, 25, is a computer technician who is always looking for new challenges. This will be Rafal’s first Boston Marathon and second marathon overall. Rafal will be raising funds for ophthalmology patient care. To support Rafal Urban, please visit www.firstgiving.com/RafalUrban.

Andrew Wineman (Waltham, MA): In his own words, “My uncle, who passed away to cancer, was an ear, nose, and throat doctor, and I am dedicating this marathon to him.” Andrew is raising funds for otolaryngology patient care and research. To support Andrew Wineman, please visit www.firstgiving.com/AndrewWineman.

Matthew Zick (Boston, MA): Matthew will be running the Boston Marathon, his first marathon, with Team Eye and Ear in honor of his four-year-old nephew, Jack Arnold, who has been diagnosed with Auditory Neuropathy Disease, an unusual hearing disorder that is widely misunderstood.  Jack will greatly benefit from the cochlear implant research that MEEI is currently undertaking so that he might one day be able to regain his hearing. Matthew is raising funds for otolaryngology research. To support Matthew Zick, please visit www.firstgiving.com/MatthewZick.

page updated: 4/07/08