Health & Fitness

Michael Muhney to chair the 9th Annual L.A.C.C. 5K/10K Run on Oct. 28

Cash for your car

Michael_Muhney.jpgFans of the popular television series Veronica Mars may be surprised to learn that their favorite character to hate is actually quite loveable in real life. Actor Michael Muhney, who plays arrogant cop “Sheriff Lamb” on the show, has left his self-centered alter ego behind to raise money for cancer research. Serving as host and honorary chairperson at the 9th Annual L.A. Cancer Challenge 5K/10K Run (L.A.C.C.) on Sunday October 28th at the Veteran’s Administration Grounds in West Los Angeles, Muhney will use his star power to support the benefit for the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.

This year may be a bit of a physical relief for Muhney, who actually
ran in last year’s competition. “Michael was an unexpected surprise
when he attended and ran the race last year,” stated Agi Hirshberg,
Founder of the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer. “His
presence added so much to the event and his support (along with his
fans) was absolutely incredible.”

The Hirshberg Foundation was founded in 1997 and is a national,
non-profit organization dedicated to advancing research for Pancreatic
Cancer; it raised $250,000 last year for this disease, which has the
number-one fatality rate of all cancers. Statistics show that nearly
32,000 will be diagnosed with it this year; a third of all women and
half of all men will be diagnosed in a lifetime; yet, only $53.7
million of the National Cancer Institute’s budget was put towards
pancreatic research in 2005. It affects every person in every walk of
life, including many well-known faces such as Dizzy Gillespie, Michael
Landon, Jack Benny, Rex Harrison, Donna Reed, Fred Gwynne, and Richard
Crenna. In fact, Muhney lost an uncle to it in February of this year.
“One of my favorite uncles was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in
August 2005. Upon learning all I could about the disease especially
the low survival rate, I became determined to do whatever was in my
power to help defeat it.” Muhney added, “When I discovered the L.A.
Cancer Challenge Run. I just had to throw on my running shoes and help
fight this battle.”

Runners can register for the race by calling 310-828-4123 or by
visiting https://www.lacancerchallenge.com/. There is a $25 registration fee,
which includes an Under Armour L.A.C.C. t-shirt and runner’s gift bag.
Children 13 years old and younger can register to participate in the
Kids Can Cure 1K by visiting . Celebrity guests
include Muhney, Gayle Anderson from “The KTLA Morning Show” (who lost
her father to Pancreatic Cancer), as well as Amelia Marshall and
Rodney Van Johnson from Passions. Of Muhney’s efforts, Hirshberg
added, “His blended charm and heart-felt sincerity for this cause is
the reason why we asked Michael to act as Host and Honorary
Chairperson this year. We are excited to have him on board.”

Hirshberg established the organization after losing her husband to
pancreatic cancer at the age of 54. Since it inception, the
foundation has raised over $5 million to benefit pancreatic cancer
research, granted over $300,000 in financial aid for patients, and
provided support and assistance to thousands of patients and their
families. In addition, they have published 60 research papers in
leading medical journals. 100% of the proceeds from the race in
October will go towards the group. “Our mission is simple,” says Hirshberg, “to find a cure for pancreatic cancer.”

For more information about the foundation, the public can call
310-472-6310 or visit their website at . For
information on the walk/run, or to register for the race, call
310-828-4123 or register online at https://www.lacancerchallenge.com/. It
costs $2.00 to park on the VA Grounds (the course is considered fast
and accurately measured with two water stations on the course & split
times given at every mile). Sponsors include: Paul A Hughes Family
Foundation, Goldman Sachs, Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, Dedola,
Hows Markets, Cliff Bar, ImpactAV, Propel Fitness Water, La Brea
Bakery, Crunch Fitness, Gavina Coffee, Travelstore Platinum, N Soul
Records, Robeks, JR286 Inc., Under Armour, Big 5 Sporting Goods, 93.1
JACK FM, Southwest Airlines, Naked Juice and Shell Vacation Club.

About the author

Athena Spencer