Run for Russ

In January of 2014, my wife and son Tyler (Lylah, our little girl, was born in 2016) were welcomed to an incredible family friendly community. Mt. Vernon Estates in Troy, Michigan is a place where everything is supposed to go as planned. Parents raise their children in a safe family friendly environment and the kids attend top notch public schools. Neighbors become the best of friends and memories are made that would last a lifetime. Our next door neighbors, Russ, Ann Marie, and their boys, Brendan and Colin, were the first to welcome us with open arms. Since then, we have become close as we have watched each other's children grow and have become book club and golf buddies. In a flash, life can become tragic. In March of 2021, Russ had been feeling ill, with what was thought to be a nasty sinus infection. By April 1st of 2021, Russ had undergone brain surgery to remove a baseball sized brain tumor, which was diagnosed as a grade 4 Glioblastoma. This is a terminal cancer with no cure. Russ had begun chemotherapy and radiation, but in early June had to pause the treatment as his platelet levels dropped to a dangerous level. To make things worse in late April, Ann Marie, who has worked as a general manager for the Moslem Shriners for the past ten years, was laid off. The Events Center was sold off as COVID-19 and the subsequent restrictions suffocated the industry. Due to the debilitating nature of Glioblastoma, Ann Marie will be Russ’s main caretaker and will be forced to remain home. Ann Marie is hoping to be able to find employment working from home, but the earning potential will likely not be sufficient to maintain the household.   

In response, we immediately wanted to help a family whose world was instantly turned upside down. We decided to organize a 5k run/walk with the emphasis of raising funds to help them through this difficult time. Anyone can sign up to join this virtual only run/walk. We ask for a recommended donation of $25 for the run, which can be completed by participants any time during the month of July. We will also provide a link if you would like to order a T-shirt, in which all funds (minus the hosting fee), will be directly donated to the Mathews family. A Facebook page will be created where people can post their adventures and support while pounding the pavement from wherever they are. We encourage people to donate whatever they can, whether it is more or less than the $25 recommended donation. Anything will help. We ask that people spread the campaign far and wide as we plan to literally get participants from coast to coast. Even if you do not know the Mathews, you can feel good knowing that you are helping a family get through the darkest of times. This is an opportunity for people to come together for something we are all enemies of - Cancer. Please join us in participating in “The Run for Russ 5k run/walk”. Thank you.   

-The Graustein and Porter families.