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

Register Today for The 2nd Annual 5k Walk/Hike for Meso, Only 10 Days Away!

The 2nd  Annual5k Walk/Hike for Meso at the Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills is just 10 days away! If you haven’t registered yet, head on over here to sign up as an individual or as part of a team.

So far over $32,000 has been raised and we are still ten days away from the event - well on our way to reaching this year’s goal of $70,000!

Up for live auction at the event is the unique and special experience of a tour of Fire Station 92, and dinner for four prepared by Station 92’s very own firefighters!

Items up for raffle include gift certificates for dance lessons at Arthur Murray Dance Studios, a Sterling Wine Tour for four at Sterling Vineyards in Calistoga, gift certificates for Cheesecake Factory, Lobster House, and The Malibu Café, a doggy gift basket and gift certificates for dog training, champagne & wine baskets, Suzanne Somers Gift Basket, Murano Glass Collectibles and more!

Lunch will be provided by Ottavio’s Italian Restaurant which you can wash down with craft beer from Fireman’s brew, all while enjoying the musical stylings of the Chris Murphy violin trio.

Join us for a beautiful morning hike through the Agoura Hills and a fun filled afternoon in the historic old west town!

Register today, and don’t forget to fundraise!

Just 21 Days to the 2nd Annual 5k Walk/Hike for Mesothelioma

In just 21 days the Pacific Meso Center (PMC) will host the 2nd Annual 5K Walk/Hikefor Meso at the Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills. Worthington & Caron, PC is proud to once again be the title sponsor of the event which seeks to raise money for mesothelioma research and increase awareness about mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos.

Last year’s inaugural event was attended by over 200 walkers, hikers and runners. Many of the teams were organized by families and friends of mesothelioma sufferers. The event proved to be a source of inspiration and hope for those fighting the disease. For those who have lost loved ones to the disease, the event was an opportunity to heal through remembrance, camaraderie and working together to support research that will benefit current and future mesothelioma patients. Last year’s event raised over $66,900. This year’s event promises to be bigger and even more successful!   

The McCarthy Clan was the top
fundraising team at last year’s event
raising over $18,000!

The walk/hike takes teams along the scenic and wooded paths around historic Paramount Ranch, where many famous western movies and television series have been filmed since the 1930s. Following the walk, participants can satisfy the appetite they worked up with a delicious lunch from Ottavio’s Italian Restaurant. The lunch has been generously donated by Noella Belvedere, owner of Ottavio's, whose husband Ottavio, the restaurant’s namesake, lost his battle with mesothelioma in 2007. Craft beer will be provided by Fireman’s Brew and wonderful prizes will be up raffle. Music will be performed by the Chris Murphy violin trio.

Please join us for what promises to be another great event! You can put together a team or walk as an individual. Registration is $35 and includes lunch and a commemorative t-shirt. All proceeds will support research into improved treatments and prevention strategies for mesothelioma being conducted by the Pacific Meso Center at its two research laboratories in Los Angeles.

Some teams are getting a head start on this year’s event. As of today, 25 days before the starting gun goes off, over $17,000 has been raised!

Let’s help PMC beat this year’s goal of $100,000!

Join us Sunday, October 27th 2013 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills.

For more information, sponsorship opportunities and to register visit here, or contact Clare Cameron, Executive Director at 310-478-4678, or via email: ccameron@phlbi.org.