Running Against Ataxia
Page Creator: Peter Murakami
Event: Marathon des Sables
Event Starts: Apr 7, 2006
Fundraising Page Image
About my nonprofit:
Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance
FARA is the non-profit, patient advocacy organization dedicated to accelerating research leading to treatments and cures for Friedreich's ataxia and the related sporadic ataxias.
Fundraising target: $5,000
So far I have raised: $6,366.00
Fundraising progress
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My personal message:
Hello, and thank you very much for visiting my personal fundraising page.  Even though my fundraising goal is shown to have been achieved (thanks to all my sponsors!), please don't let this stop you from making a donation.  $5,000 is the minimum goal, not the maximum. 

My name is Peter Murakami, and I'm a 23 year old December 2005 graduate of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.
In addition to this fundraising page, please visit its partner site:

www.petermurakami.com

I will run in the 21st Marathon des Sables--"the toughest footrace on Earth"--to raise money for the Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA).

Friedreich's ataxia is a multi-system disorder that involves the degeneration of nerve tissues. Symptoms include muscle weakness and loss of coordination (ataxia) in the arms and legs, vision impairment, hearing loss, aggressive scoliosis (curvature of the spine), diabetes mellitus or carbohydrate intolerance, and a serious heart condition (enlarged heart--hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). My friend Garrett has Friedreich's ataxia. Garrett was a normal kid until coordination and balance problems started when he was 5. Those problems worsened until he started relying on a wheelchair when he was 15. His condition was not diagnosed until he was 20. That was when the doctors discovered the gene for his disease. In spite of this, he has since gone on to earn a degree in finance from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana with the class of 2003 (see the picture).
Please please consider making a donation to FARA to help advance their outstanding work on behalf of people like Garrett.

If you would prefer the most direct route for donating to the Friedreich's Ataxia Research Allliance, you can visit its website at www.faresearchalliance.org and follow the "donations" link on the left side of the page. This is a great avenue for donating, however, if you choose to donate via this route, please just remember to designate your donation "Peter Murakami--Marathon des Sables" and email me at cutlip421@yahoo.com to let me know. While at this site, you can also view GuideStar's full report on FARA, including revenues, expenses, balance sheet, and more, and assure yourself that your donation WILL matter and that it will be used efficiently and responsibly. FARA uses your donation to support basic and applied research.

The Marathon des Sables is a grueling 150 mile race over 7 days across the Sahara desert in Morocco! It begins on April 7, 2006.  Throughout it all, I will have to carry everything I need with me, such as a sleeping bag, a distress flare, a venom pump (in case of snakebites) (I hope I won't need this) and food for seven days. Temperatures can soar to 125°F while I traverse uneven, rocky ground and the 15 - 20% of the race distance that crosses over sand dunes. Night-time temperatures can drop to near freezing. The 45 - 50 mile stage on day 4 is followed by a full marathon stage (26.2 miles) stage. I will be competing in the running (not the walking) category.

The mental and physical stress will undoubtedly test the limits of my endurance, but the knowledge that this will endeavor will, THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU, support the work of such a worthy organization as the Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance will be there to help me to persevere throughout it all. I do need YOUR support very much.

The Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) is a national, public, 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax-exempt organization, and all donations are fully tax-deductible. Also, you may wish to check with your employer to see if they have an employee charitable gift matching program; this is a great way to double (or even triple) your donation. Donating through this site is very simple, fast and totally secure. If, however, you would prefer to not donate through this site or directly through FARA's website, you may certainly also send a check made out to "FARA" with "Peter Murakami-Marathon des Sables" written in the memo line. Checks should be sent to:

FARA
2001 Jefferson Davis Highway
Suite 209
Arlington, Virginia 22202
USA

FARA and I truly appreciate your support, and it means a lot to me. Please know that I don't lie when I say that no amount is too small. Also, please don't forget to forward this on to anyone else who you think might be interested. This webpage will remain up for a month after the event (until May 7, 2006), so donations can be made during that time as well. If you would like to pledge a certain amount per mile, consider that this race is about 150 miles (thus, for example, 10 cents/mile = $15, 67 cents/mile = $100, et cetera). If you choose to donate by check, directly through FARA's website, or after the event, then please email me to let me know that that is what you will do (after all, how can I be encouraged by you before and during the event unless I know you support me). Finally, if you would like to contact me directly, my email is  admin@petermurakami.com .

Thank you, sincerely,
Peter Murakami


Some past articles written about the MdS:
http://outside.away.com/magazine/0798/9807wise.html
www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2004/04/26/ft26.xml
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/siadventure/14/des_sables/

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"In Friedreich's ataxia, we have entered the treatment era."
   --Dr. Robert Wilson, one of the world's leading Friedreich's ataxia researchers

"Friedreich's ataxia is a devastating disease but the scientific community is hot on the trail of treatments that will slow, stop and reverse that devastation. Clinical trials of promising new drugs are already underway and several more such trials will be initiated by the time Peter is very hot on another trail. We are confident that these clinical trials will lead to real progress toward effective treatments. We also know that the trials will be expensive. We need the energy and commitment of compassionate people like Peter and your support of their efforts so we can cross the finish line together. Alone there is little we can do -- together there is nothing we can not do."
   --Ron Bartek, President, Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance

Online Sponsors to date:
Display Name Date Amount  Comment
Sabrina 5/3/2006 $25.00 Thank You for your noble efforts to support those with FA. They are greatly appreciated! 
Peter and Lynn Pearson 4/24/2006 $50.00  
Amy Schilling 4/23/2006 $20.00 Pete congratulations on this incredible achievement, you're amazing! 
Debbi 4/20/2006 $25.00 Good Luck and God bless! 
Tracey Boynton 4/19/2006 $100.00 God Bless you! What a wonderful friend you are! 
Ai 4/16/2006 $40.00 good luck pete 
Phil and Karna 4/15/2006 $50.00 Peter, you have been in our thoughts and prayers all week.  
Kajsa 4/14/2006 $25.00 Since you're finishing - good work! 
Jamaul 4/13/2006 $15.00 Good luck Pete, I can't wait to hear your stories about the race.  
Supporters 4/9/2006 $500.00 Your courage is inspiring. God Bless 
Hrysoula Lazaropoulos 4/4/2006 $500.00 Peter: For this Herculean effort of love, we all thank you. Our son Leo has FA. Godspeed. 
Joan Gambill 4/4/2006 $25.00 Thank You for doing this for everyone with FA. You must e a great guy. Good Luck 
Jenni H. 4/3/2006 $20.00 Go Pete! I'll be cheering for you! 
Barbara Goode 4/3/2006 $150.00 You can do it!! (my running verses Habakkuk 3:19 and Isaiah 40:31) 
Nate 4/3/2006 $25.00 Butros you are a rock star! Your bro in Vegas, Nate 
Family 4/3/2006 $500.00 We are thankful for your energetic and compassionate spirit! Good Luck! 
Aaron 4/2/2006 $25.00 Just to say...phenomenal! Keep up the good work. Send my regards to the desert! 
Jane 4/1/2006 $30.00 GOOD LUCK 
The Clarks 3/27/2006 $151.00 Not that you'll need it, but good luck! We look forward to hearing your stories from the race. 
Karthi Rajendran 3/26/2006 $41.00  
atmurakami 3/24/2006 $50.00 I wish I could make the run with you. Let me know where you'll be after the trek! 
Mark Scott 3/23/2006 $100.00  
Dan Kenron 3/23/2006 $50.00 Wow Peter, it is amaizing that you are doing this. Run like the wind! 
marty Rosenblum 3/17/2006 $75.00 Best of luck (you will love morocco) 
Chas 3/16/2006 $500.00 Peter, you will be running on Garrett's birthday, 4/13 
Julianne Roy 3/10/2006 $25.00 Best of Luck Pete!! 
lister of smeg 3/7/2006 $4.00  
Mel & Joanne Soderstrom 3/1/2006 $100.00 We wish you a wonderful race...Keep safe 
Chris Haydel (Devo) 2/23/2006 $20.00 Good Luck, Pete! I know you can do it! Next time I'll go with you, so we can raise twice the money! 
Edward Herrera 2/13/2006 $25.00 Say hi to Mohammed for me if you see him. 
Mark and Lisa 1/30/2006 $50.00 Peter, we're so excited for you to do this! Way to go! We can't wait to hear all about it! 
Anonymous ^^ 1/29/2006 $500.00 Be careful out there~ 
jeannette 1/22/2006 $50.00 you are amazing! 
Jeremy Meyer 1/14/2006 $15.00 Good luck Pete!!! 
Kelechi Ohiri 1/7/2006 $75.00 Best wishes  
Justin 1/7/2006 $50.00  
John Lillig and Anna Lee and family 12/30/2005 $15.00 Good luck Peter 
Rich and Naomi Miller 12/27/2005 $50.00 We're happy that you are Garrett's friend 
Jim and Janet Timbie 12/18/2005 $50.00 Thanks 
Garrett 12/15/2005 $25.00  
Katie Smith 11/16/2005 $15.00 Congrats on doing this, Pete! You rock! Sorry this is all I can give mid-month. Maybe more later. 
Seth 10/23/2005 $100.00 Good Luck! 
K.Eley (Serena's sister) 10/18/2005 $20.00 Good Luck! What your doing is very ambitious! 
Joanne 10/13/2005 $25.00 Goodluck on the race & please beware of snakes! I'm telling my bro about this...you'll be his hero! 
Serena 10/13/2005 $50.00 Congrats and good luck! 
Ron Bartek 9/27/2005 $100.00 Thank you so much for helping to develop a treatment and cure! 
Anonymous 9/5/2005 $25.00  
* Total raised online: $4,481.00
Amount raised offline: $1,885.00
Grand Total: $6,366.00
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