2014 WHY WE CREATED TIMS RUN

By Therese Flaherty

My husband Tim, a firefighter for 33 years with the Portland Fire Department, an avid gardener, outdoorsmen and family man passed away August 30, 2011 at only 63 years old, following a courageous fight against Myelofibrosis. The MPN community lost a hero that day. And I lost my husband and best friend.

In addition to his 33-year career as a Portland Firefighter, Tim was a true family man. A loving husband, father, grandfather, best buddy, vegetable gardener, outdoorsman, and a runner. Tim’s memory will live on through the relationship he cultivated with his children, grandchildren, friends and family.

We may have lost Tim, but his family and friends have never lost his spirit.

To remember Tim and honor his memory, we created The Timothy J. Flaherty Myelofibrosis Fund. Each year we host an annual blood drive in December, and Tim’s Run, an annual race which takes in Yarmouth, Maine. The goal is to raise money, support, and awareness for people who are effected with this illness and other related diseases. We took action and you can too. If you’ve been effected by MPNs, we encourage you to consider Getting Involved in some way. You’d be surprised at the good you can do.

This year is the third annual run and will take place during Blood Cancer Awareness Month on Sunday, September 28, 2014. If you want to join the run, you can pre-register at their website at http://www.timsrunwalk.com/.