On March 8, 2020 I will be running in the LA Marathon as a part of the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Research's Training Team.  I have chosen this race, this place, and this cause for some pretty compelling reasons.  I ran my first Marathon in Los Angeles in 1987, 33 Years ago.  This is the place where I discovered and developed my lifelong love of running.                                                                                                     

I have also chosen this cause to honor Stanley “Stash” Hirschman, the late father of my sweetheart Jodi. I never had the good fortune to meet him, but because the way he is so fondly remembered, I feel like I know him.

He was by all accounts bigger than life...a man who lived his life with zest, passion, and love. Stash was stricken too young by this deadly disease, and I am glad I can do my part to help find a cure. 

The statistics are grim, but with your help we have a chance to improve them. Pancreatic cancer is the #3 cancer killer in the United States amongst both men and women. Nine out of ten pancreatic cancer patients will die. The average life expectancy after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer is just 3-6 months. 

I will do my part and run the 26.2 miles....I am asking you to please be generous and donate to this worthy cause and help to defeat this extremely lethal disease.

Thank you so much,

Peace

Lee