Over $75,000 raised in the Fight against Meso--Pacific Meso Center’s 2nd Annual Walk/Hike for Meso a Huge Success!

Pacific Meso Center’s 2nd Annual Walk/Hike for Meso took place on Sunday, October 27^th at the scenic Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills. It was a "walk on the wildside", with spottings of deer, foxes and rabbits. The sun was shining, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and the energy was high.

The event was attended by several mesothelioma patients, as well as over 200 participants, many of whom are friends and family of persons whose lives have been rocked by mesothelioma. Each kilometer was marked with signs sponsored by families in memory of the loved ones affected by the disease. There were also mesothelioma and asbestos facts scattered throughout the course, and a quiz at the completion of the walk with prizes for the 15 top scores.

As walkers approached the finish line they were cajoled by the enchanting celtic/country music of the Chris Murphy Violin Trio. Their efforts were then rewarded with a delicious lunch from Ottavio’s Italian Restaurant, donated by owner Noella Belvedere who lost her husband Ottavio to mesothelioma in 2007. Noella and her family are no strangers to the cause--Over the past few years, the Belvedere family has raised more than $117,000 for mesothelioma research in honor of Ottavio!

When the dust cleared, over $75,000 had been raised to fund much-needed research into new treatments for mesothelioma. This amount exceeded PMC’s goal for the event for the second year in a row, and donations are still coming in! Family and friends of Gerald McCarthy once again accepted the title of the top fundraising team with their team, Irish Stampede, bringing in $13,460. They were followed by Team Gigi in second place who raised $6,380, and Team Chuck Jarvis came in at third with $5,188.

“The weather was perfect, the people were fantastic, and the money raised was crucial in the fight against this horrible disease” said Dr. Robert Cameron, PMC’s Scientific Advisor and a leading expert in treating mesothelioma. Dr. Cameron is also Director of the Mesothelioma Program at  UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, and the Chief of Thoracic Surgery at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center.

“This annual walk/hike gives people in the mesothelioma community an uplifting experience in a beautiful outdoor setting. We are grateful for the continued financial support of our cutting edge research to find better treatments for mesothelioma,” commented Clare Cameron, Executive Director of PMC. “This event is going to get bigger every year as word spreads in the mesothelioma community.” 

PMC’s Annual Walk/Hike for Meso is held in loving memory of Ottavio Belvedere, Mark Ganoe, Charles Jarvis, Sr., John Johnson, Gerry McCarthy, Kevin McCarthy, Rosa Gonzalez, Robert Vitale and to all those who have lost their lives to mesothelioma.

Team Worthington Caron was represented by 
Julianna Farrell, Cindy Adams and John Caron

“Walking the Walk” For Others—A Jarvis Family Tradition

“Little” Sonia and 
“Mama” Sonia Jarvis

We are just five days away from the 2nd Annual 5k Walk/Hike for Meso at the Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills, and Sonia Jarvis, who lost her father last year to malignant pleural mesothelioma, has been busy rallying the troops.

This past weekend Sonia and her family hosted a pasta dinner at their home to kick-off their fundraising efforts for the upcoming event. This is the first time Sonia has organized anything like this, “I wasn’t sure how many people would actually show up, not very many RSVP’d, but the turnout was amazing! There wasn’t a dull moment, we had people coming in the door as others were leaving, so it was perfect.” The fare included homemade lasagna, mostaccioli, sausage and peppers, and an assortment of salads and desserts. The event raised over $2000!

While there are many who “talk the talk” when it comes to taking the time and effort to help others, Sonia’s father Charles “Chuck” Jarvis was always one to “walk the walk”. “Dad always wanted to give, this man would give you the shirt off of his back. People say that about people, but he really was that guy,” Sonia says of her father.

When Chuck was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma in the fall of 2011, he was scared, and he had no idea what to expect. It was when he spoke with Clare Cameron of the Pacific Meso Center and UCLA thoracic surgeon, Dr. Robert Cameron, that his heart and mind were put at ease. “They walked him through everything and let him know what to expect and even though he was still scared, he made up his mind to help if he could.” Sonia says.

“He decided to embrace what was going on and to reach out and give others help and comfort. His motto to the end was, “I want to help.” Sonia continues, “he instilled that in us, raised us that way. He would contribute everything he could. That is why my brother and I decided to do this, to help others, because that is what dad would done.”

Chuck Jarvis, Jr (r) with Sheriff Lee Baca

Just last month Chuck’s son, and Sonia’s brother, Chuck Jr. was one of the rallying forces behind the successful fundraising event The Greatest Escape Motorcycle Ride which raised over $100,000 for mesothelioma research!

“It is hard without him here, but I know my dad is smiling down on me. This is what he did before he died, and this is what he would want us to be doing. I am so proud of what he taught us and instilled in us. It is hard to have lost him, but we are all so very blessed to have had him for as long as we did.”

Sonia is already planning for next year when she will be hosting more dinners and begin fundraising even earlier, we can’t wait!

Please join us this Sunday, October 27 at Paramount Ranch for a scenic morning hike in the Agoura Hills, followed by food, beer and live music! Head over here to register today!

The Greatest Escape Shows Anything's Possible

Roger Worthington with John Caron (r)

Los Angeles, CA. Riding a motorcycle with a throng of true believers from Marina Del Ray on a sunny Sunday afternoon through Venice Beach, Santa Monica, and Malibu without stopping at a single intersection -- impossible. Right?

Wrong! It is possible if you have a police escort, and the backing of the Pacific Meso Center, the nonprofit dedicated to discovering new and better ways to treat patients with malignant mesothelioma, the same asbestos related cancer that took the life of famed Hollywood icon Steve McQueen more than 30 years ago.

Thanks to the Pacific Meso Center, John Caron and I were able to join similarly enthused and awestruck motorcyclists last Sunday in "The Greatest Escape," an organized ramble up the coast to commemorate the anniversary of the release of one of McQueen's greatest movies. Thanks to the leadership of PMC, and the work of a small army of volunteers, sponsors, celebrities, vendors and CHP "Evel Knievel" officers, the ride went off without a hitch.

With Greg Paulus (c) whose father was
diagnosed with mesothelioma

"What a momentous day," beamed Caron. "We were pleased to honor those who have passed on, give hope to those still persevering, and just have a day of fun on the beach with many of our clients, their friends and families."

"Before today, I never dreamed it would be possible to motor unabated through some of the worse traffic in the world," he continued. "It goes to show you -- anything's possible, if you're smart, motivated, and organized. The same goes for helping mesothelioma patients. To tame this terrible cancer, which has taken down so many for so many years, it's going to take a smart and motivated team of doctors, scientists and researchers, along with politicians, organized labor, patient advocates, drug companies and the government."

The Greatest Escape raised over $100,000, which will be used to fund ongoing research initiatives at PMC's laboratory in Los Angeles. Worthington & Caron, which helped sponsor the event, donated $50,000 to the PMC on behalf of all our clients who have struggled with mesothelioma.  It was gratifying to rumble up the coast with our clients Chuck Jarvis, Jr., Michael Johnson and William Paulus, three young men who each lost their Dads to mesothelioma.

With Michael Johnson, son of John Johnson

Plans are already underway for next year's Greatest Escape. Not only does the event support a worthy cause, it also offers the chance of a lifetime to throttle without stopping through Los Angeles and up the coast to enjoy the sunshine on the beach with friends, dance to live rock ‘n’ roll music, sip a craft beer or two and chow down on great food.

For more about the event, please read the press release posted by the Pacific Meso Center here.  We wish again to thank the PMC, all the volunteers, and the California Highway Patrol for their hard work.  And a special shout out to our friends Clare Cameron, Victoria Adams, Dr. Robert Cameron, Michael Johnson, William Paulus, and Chuck Jarvis, Jr., along with a big kudos to our new friends the Walking Phoenixes, Bartels’ Harley-Davidson, Larry Wilcox, Sheriff Lee Baca, Disc Jockeys Tom & Sandy and Lorenzo Lamas.

Roger Worthington

California Highway Patrol
Thank you!

Riding Dad’s Road King from Marina Del Rey to Malibu—Memories of Dad Along for the Ride

On Sunday, September 22, riders will gather at Bartels’ Harley Davidson in Marina Del Rey, California for The Greatest Escape Motorcycle Ride. The ride marks the 50th anniversary of The Great Escape movie starring The King of Cool, Steve McQueen, whose life was cut short by malignant peritoneal mesothelioma at the age of 50. Proceeds from the event will go to support mesothelioma research conducted by the Pacific Meso Center in Los Angeles. Our firm is proud to be the title sponsor of this first-ever event.

Chuck Jarvis, Sr.

For many, the event will be an opportunity to experience the sheer freedom and exhilaration that comes from riding a motorcycle along the southern California coastline on a perfect late-summer day. For others, the event will also be a time to recognize the freedom lost by the thousands of Americans that are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year.

One of the driving forces for the Greatest Escape Motorcycle Ride is Chuck Jarvis Jr., a Los Angeles police officer who lost his father to malignant pleural mesothelioma in May of 2012. Chuck’s father, Chuck Sr., was an avid Harley rider and Steve McQueen fan.

Chuck Sr. grew up as the youngest of five kids in close-knit rural community in Indiana. He started riding motorcycles when he was a kid and rode all over the countryside. His family taught him the importance of hard work and being a good neighbor. Chuck Sr. would go on to instill the same values to his own children. In his son Chuck Jr., he would also go on to instill his passion for riding big American V-Twin Harley Davidson motorcycles.

Chuck and Sonia

“My dad offered a helping hand to anyone who needed it. He mowed yards and checked in on elderly neighbors,” Chuck Jr. shares about his father. “If a kid in the neighborhood didn’t know how to ride a bike, he taught them, and when the family went camping he invited the whole neighborhood. It was just who he was.”

While Chuck, Sr. was serving his country in the Vietnam War, his new wife Sonia saved money from her job and bought Chuck a brand new Harley Easy Rider and surprised him with it when he came home. Sonia’s brother even taught her how to ride the bike by herself, so when Chuck got home she was a pro.

Over the years, Sonia and Chuck occasionally traded Chuck’s motorcycles for cars when a baby was on the way. They sold their prized Easy Rider when Sonia was pregnant with their daughter, but by the time she was three, Chuck and Sonia were riding again on a Honda with their daughter squeezed between them. They rode “three-up” with their daughter to Disneyland, she even had her own little helmet.

Chuck, Sr. and Chuck, Jr.

Chuck and Sonia had a number of bikes over the years but, Chuck’s pride and joy was his Harley Road King. They originally purchased the bike with plans of riding it all over the country, but when Chuck’s health began to fail those plans were postponed. The Road King is now Chuck Jr.’s pride and joy and he will be riding it on September 22, in memory of his father and to help raise money for the Pacific Meso Center.

“The Pacific Meso Center gave us a lot of hope before my dad passed away and a great effort to the end. My motivation is to give hope to those that are diagnosed now and the possibility of treatment to prolong life and ultimately to find a cure. My hope is to bring light to this serious problem and to discontinue the use of asbestos related products around the world.”

We invite you to come out and take part in this memorial ride to raise money for mesothelioma research and spread awareness of this rare and aggressive cancer.

The ride will take place on Sunday, September 22, 2013

• Registration begins at: 8:30 a.m.
• Ride begins at: 10:00 a.m.
• Lunch & Concert begins at: 12:00 p.m.

RIDE BEGINS AT: Bartels’ Harley-Davidson 4141 Lincoln Blvd. Marina Del Rey, California

RIDE ENDS AT: Sycamore Cove State Beach 9000 West Pacific Coast Hwy Malibu, California

Registration for single riders is $45 and $35 for passengers, which includes lunch, concert and a commemorative pin and bandana. Registration for children under 12 is free and if you just want to come out for lunch and a show, tickets are $20.

Proceeds from the ride along with the raffle and auction at the post-ride party will fund the Pacific Meso Center’s ongoing research into cures for mesothelioma being conducted at the Punch Worthington lab on the UCLA campus and the Pacific Meso Center’s own lab in West Los Angeles.

For more information, sponsorship opportunities and to register please visit http://thegreatestescape.org/Home.html or contact Clare Cameron, Executive Director at 310-478-4678, or via email: ccameron@phlbi.org, or Cherry Hepburn, Project Leader at 818-505-1104, or via email: cherry@putnam-smith.com

For more on Steve McQueen:

• Mesothelioma Does Not Respect Fame Or Fortune
• Worthington Honors Memory OfSteve McQueen, Donates Movie Money To Research
• A Candid Interview WithBarbara McQueen 26 Years After Mesothelioma Claimed The Life Of Husband AndHollywood Icon, Steve McQueen
• Benefit Concert Raises$250,000 For Mesothelioma Research