Simsbury Man Competing for a Good Cause

This weekend, a Simsbury resident will line up with other elite athletes from around the world for a great cause at the IRONMAN Lake Placid.

For the IRONMAN Lake Placid event, Armando Vargas will race to raise funds and awareness of multiple myeloma.

“Being a member of MMRF Team for Cures at this IRONMAN event allows me to take some direct action in helping to fund the research needed to find a cure for this type of cancer,” he said.

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The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Team for Cures raises funds for cancer research. The MMRF was created to accelerate cancer research, particularly for multiple myeloma, and speed the development and approval of new treatments. Multiple myeloma, currently an incurable blood cancer, is the second most common blood cancer after non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The MMRF will have more than 100 triathletes racing for the Team for Cures who have raised more than $850,000 for cancer research.

“We have found ways to get the impossible done with events like IRONMAN Lake Placid,” said Jane Hoffmann, Manager of Endurance Events for the MMRF in a statement. “The success of these events is directly correlated to the passion of each athlete who not only takes on the challenge of these strenuous races, but makes a difference in the lives of patients with multiple myeloma. These caring individuals reach out to their friends, coworkers, and family members, who in turn contribute whatever amount they can. Everyone walks away from these events inspired and rewarded knowing they’ve positively impacted the lives of patients.”

In 2008, the MMRF started an endurance charity program that has since grown to include a select group of world-class events that range from the TCS New York City Marathon to the Empire State Building Run-Up. In 2015, the MMRF Endurance Events Program will raise over $3.3 million with 1000 athletes, bringing the eight year total funds raised to more than $16 million.

The MMRF is the Official Charity Partner of IRONMAN Lake Placid, the oldest and one of the most prestigious of the IRONMAN events in North America. The grueling 140.6 mile race consists of a 2.4 mile swim in Mirror Lake, a 112 bike ride through the mountains of the Adirondacks, followed by a 26.2 mile run throughout historic Lake Placid Village. Athletes must complete this distance in less than 17 hours to be considered an official finisher.

To support Vargas, click here. For more information on the MMRF Endurance Events Program, please visit www.themmrf.org/TeamforCures or contact Jane Hoffmann at hoffmannj@themmrf.org or 203-652-0236.

Photo courtesy of Armandao Vargas.