We started Marathon of Miracles (MOM) because since 1998, we've had
far too many loved ones die from cancer. After the death of a
father, mother, brother, grandparents, best friend and others --
and after several other loved ones experienced bouts with cancer,
we decided it was time to do something other than mourn our losses.
We decided to fight by taking charge of how we live, celebrating
each day as a victory and helping others to fight for their lives.
MOM's goals include helping to meet the financial, emotional,
spiritual, physical and medical needs of survivors throughout the
world and to eradicate cancer. People fighting cancer will be
able to participate in survivorship studies where they'll learn
healthy organic survivorship methods and ways to detoxify and live
cancer-free. The survivorship research and retreat center will
embrace a holistic approach to surviving and thriving including the
arts, equine therapy, natural remedies, environmental
detoxification, healthy diet, mental and physical training, music,
laughter, walks on the beach and other therapeutic activities. MOM
began with a golf, spa and lunch event in the summer of 2006. The
emphasis of that event was on wellness and the event educated a
couple hundred people about the wellness resources that were
available to them in their community. The typical response we heard
was "I had no idea such and such existed." Through that experience
we learned the importance of educating people about all the natural
and organic wellness options they can take advantage of BEFORE they
get sick rather than waiting to treat something after it has
manifested itself as cancer or other illnesses. In 2007, with the
help of many friends, we took the activities of Marathon of
Miracles to another level. In Sep – Oct 2007 we did a nationwide
tour from NYC to LA in a pink 38 foot RV. We stopped in 18 cities
and met with survivors, held celebrations and encouraged people.
Again, we placed an emphasis on education about wellness options.
Along the way, many good friends in the music business (Marcus
Johnson, Pamela Williams and others) have been very supportive and
helped us with musical projects such as the Survivor Celebration CD
that was released in September 2007. Events in 2008 included a
Horse Show followed by a Country Dinner and Dance, attended the PGA
Fall Expo in Las Vegas, and the Gatsby Jazz Festival in Santa
Barbara, CA. At each event we passed out wellness information,
dished out sunscreen and shared laughs, hugs, connections and
prayers with lots of folks. Proceeds from these and other events
have enabled us to support survivors in many ways, from providing
wigs, healthcare, counseling, financial assistance and many other
ways of helping people through the fight of their life. We've even
found that many survivors suffer from a form of post traumatic
stress, that if left uncared for, can lead to more illness. Our
outreach efforts to minister to the needs of survivors (and their
family members, sometimes called co-survivors) are proving to be
important and necessary to the well-being and healing of those
afflicted by cancer. The efforts are also educating people about
the need to take care of themselves through what they eat, by
putting on sunscreen, by detoxifying their environment and adopting
a more organic lifestyle leading to better overall health and
well-being.
We need your help. A gift of $5, $10, $25, $50, $100
or more will us to reach more people and in some cases even help to
save lives. Every gift you make to MOM is tax deductible and you'll
be a blessing to someone in need. Help us reach more people by
supporting our daily efforts to reach people throughout the globe,
or make a contribution directly towards our Malibu retreat center
capital campaign by clicking here. Send your tax-deductible
contribution to Marathon of Miracles, P.O. Box 4082, Malibu, CA
90264. You can also give online at the link at the
www.survivorcelebration.com home page (near top left). Thank you
and may God Bless You! A.J. and Jane Ali
