FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: JEN MCNEILL or
LARA PANSOLLI
Carey O'Donnell PR Group
(561) 832-3231
Marathon of the Palm Beaches Launches Training Program to Raise Funds
for Mobility Impaired Medical Director
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (June 15, 2005) - On June 15, the Marathon of the
Palm Beaches will officially launch "Team Chester," a marathon training
program designed to help raise funds to aid in the recovery and
rehabilitation efforts of Don Chester, the race's beloved medical director
and the associate administrator of St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm
Beach. Chester was recently paralyzed from the chest down when he was
struck by a car while running on Christmas Eve, 2004, just one month after
the success of the inaugural marathon. The accident severed his spinal
cord, and he has spent the last five months in intensive therapy and
rehabilitation, rebuilding enough strength to gain limited mobility by
motorized wheelchair.
The Team Chester Training Program welcomes public participation and begins
its first training run in June. Participants will obtain monetary pledges
to run and complete either the full, 26.2-mile marathon or the half,
13.1-mile marathon, and all proceeds will go to Chester's medical expenses.
Scott Badesch, a longtime friend and the president of the United Way of
Palm Beach County, and Andy O' Brien, vice president of Nicklaus Companies,
partnered with the Marathon of the Palm Beaches to create the program as a
way to give something back to Chester, who has dedicated more than 25 years
of his life to serving the community. In addition to playing an
instrumental role in launching the inaugural Marathon of the Palm Beaches
in 2004 and serving as its medical director, Don has had a seat on the
board of directors for the United Way of Palm Beach County since 1977. He
is also the past president of the Girls Scouts of Palm Glades Council and
board member; board member of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
of South Florida; past president of Rotary Club of West Palm Beach; chair
of government affairs of South Florida Hospital and Healthcare Association;
board member of Healthy Mothers Health Babies of Palm Beach County;
graduate of Leadership West Palm Beach and Leadership of Palm Beach County;
past president of Forum Club of the Palm Beaches; and the past president
and board member of Work Force Alliance. His commitment to improving his
community was honored in 1996, when he was selected as one of only 5,500
Americans to carry the Olympic Torch leading up to the Olympic Games. He
was also honored with the 2005 Community Leaders of the Year Award, 2005
Leadership Excellence Award and the 2005 Palm Beach County Medical Lifetime
Achievement Award.
"Don has touched so many lives over the years and has always placed the
needs of others before himself," said O'Brien. "Team Chester is a chance
for his friends, family and the community at large to demonstrate their
support by offering spiritual, emotional and financial aid that will
contribute to his continued rehabilitation."
Following the accident, Chester spent a month and a half at St. Mary's
Medical Center and three and a half months at Pinecrest Rehabilitation
Hospital in Delray Beach. While he was away, his wife, Sally, and friends
had helped retrofit his home to make it more accessible for his mobility.
Despite these life adjustments, Chester has retained his spirit and is
enthusiastic about returning to work at St. Mary's Medical Center. He and
his wife, Sally, are already looking forward to working with the medical
committee for the second annual Marathon of Palm Beaches. Not content with
idly watching friends raise money for his recovery, he has also committed
to coaching Team Chester, providing encouragement, training tips and
motivation for participants.
"The Marathon of the Palm Beaches is a fantastic event for the entire
community that is run by a group of dedicated and truly talented
organizers," said Chester. "They have been so supportive through my
recovery, and Sally and I are thrilled and honored to be involved for
another year."
The 2nd Annual Marathon of the Palm Beaches, presented by Jacuzzi Brands,
will be held on Dec. 4, 2005 from 6:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The event is
managed by DMSE (Dave McGillivray Sports Enterprises) and co-sponsored by
WPBF Channel 25; 97.9 fm WRMF; ESPN Radio 760 AM; The Palm Beach Post;
Carey O'Donnell PR Group; Marriott West Palm Beach; Wilesmith Advertising &
Design; The City of West Palm Beach; Columbia Restaurants; Wachovia; Ruth's
Chris Steak House; Palm Beach County Convention & Visitor's Bureau; Brooks
Sports, Inc.; Thorlos; Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida;
Palm Beach County Sports Commission; CityPlace; Dr. David W. Feld; Palm
Beach County Commissioner Jeff Koons; Tourneau; The Pepsi Cola Bottling
Company and Gatorade; Signs by Tomorrow; Florida Sun Waterfront Fitness;
Brightroom Photography; BellSouth; Forte Interactive; The Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society's Team in Training; and Team DMSE.
For more information or to register online as a runner or volunteer, visit
www.marathonofthepalmbeaches.org, or call (561) 833-3711, ext. 225.
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