On Monday, April 17, 2023, The Progeria Research Foundation will cheer on two long-time PRF supporters who will take to the streets in the Boston Marathon on behalf of the Progeria community: Paul Michienzie from Foxboro (right) and Bobby Nadeau (left) from Mansfield. The good friends will take on the coveted 26.2-mile course to raise funds toward the cure for Progeria.
Paul is running the marathon on behalf of PRF for the 3rd year in a row, but he actually trained for four marathons – the first one cancelled due to COVID. Paul and his family were good friends and neighbors with Drs. Leslie Gordon and Scott Berns (PRF Co-Founders) and their son Sam Berns who had Progeria and passed away in 2014. Sam left a legacy of inspiration that now drives PRF and its supporters to continue the quest for a cure.
Paul says, “I will keep pushing myself so that we can raise money to help these kids and find a cure for #Progeria. If you can, please donate to my fundraising project on GivenGain! Thank you.
Bobby Nadeau is very excited for the opportunity to run his first Boston Marathon on behalf of PRF and says:
”When I was 28, I was diagnosed with kidney disease, was overweight and lived an unhealthy lifestyle. I’ve used fitness in my journey to transform my waistline and got a clean bill of health as a result. Since then, I’ve learned I can do anything I set my mind to and have had a dream of running the Boston Marathon by age 45. There is no better way to celebrate this milestone than to raise funds for such an important cause as Progeria!”
Funds raised by TEAM PRF at the Boston Marathon directly fund the vital research toward helping those with Progeria around the world live longer, healthier lives. This year, we plan to begin a clinical trial with a brand-new drug called Progerinin, while we continue to explore cutting-edge genetic therapies.
Please show some love by donating to their fundraising pages below: