Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation Partners With Extreme Athlete Mike Monroe

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 27 Aug 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), a public charity founded by the Estee Lauder family in 2004, is pleased to announce an exciting partnership with extreme athlete, former Marine, and elite personal trainer Mike Monroe.

Mike will be raising money for the ADDF in the 25th anniversary Furnace Creek 508 (The 508) bicycle race on October 4-6, 2008, http://www.the508.com. He is one of 100 athletes invited to participate in the "solo-race" category of this endeavor.

According to Dr. Howard Fillit, Executive Director of ADDF, "We appreciate Mike's generous contribution of his time, talent and drive to generate revenue for innovative drug discovery and raise awareness of ADDF's mission. With the participation of interested people from all fields, we hope to find a cure for Alzheimer's and dementia-related disease."

Known as "The Toughest 48 hours in Sport," it is the world's premier ultra-marathon bicycle race. This 508-mile bicycle race is revered for its epic mountain climbs, stark desert scenery, desolate roads, and its reputation as one of the toughest but most gratifying endurance challenges available. The course has a total elevation gain of over 35,000 feet, crosses ten mountain passes, and stretches from Santa Clarita (just north of Los Angeles), across the Mojave Desert, through Death Valley, to Twenty Nine Palms. Mike will be assisted by a three-person crew who will travel alongside him in a support vehicle. Mike and his crew are sponsored by The Ted Waitt Family Foundation.

Mike's mother-in-law serves as his inspiration for completing this event. At the young age of 65, she suffers from dementia. Her two late brothers also succumbed to early onset Alzheimer's. By competing in The 508, Mike hopes to raise awareness for Alzheimer's disease (AD), as well as raise significant funds to support drug discovery for an effective treatment through the efforts of the ADDF.

"I am fortunate enough to be able to compete in these types of races and firmly believe that it would be selfish of me to do so and not try to help others. The ADDF is at the forefront of drug discovery research. I want to do my part in helping to find a treatment for AD, which will bring relief to patients and families everywhere," says Mike.

His personal drive stems from a lifetime of adventure and charitable work. He served 12 years in the US Marine Corps with combat operations in the Gulf and Somalia. As an endurance sports competitor, he's completed dozens of adventure races and endurance events including a 150-mile ultra-marathon through the Western Sahara, six Ironman triathlons, and 'La Ruta' ultra-mountain bike race across Costa Rica, to name a few. Most importantly, Mike has used many of his endurance events as platforms for charity -- raising upwards of $180,000 for worthy causes.

ADDF is the only public charity whose sole mission is to rapidly accelerate the discovery and development of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease, related dementias and cognitive aging. The organization raises and awards funds to academic and biotechnology scientists conducting drug discovery research in this field. ADDF uses a venture philanthropy model to bridge the worldwide funding gap between basic research and later-stage development, using any return on investment to support new research.

Donors worldwide can join Mike in supporting drug discovery through venture philanthropy. To donate online, visit http://www.alzdiscovery.org and click open the story in the "What's New" section of the home page. Follow the link to the donation page and type "Mike Monroe" inside the "In honor of" field.

To learn more about Mike Monroe, visit http://www.hm4fitness.com.

Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation