By Jacqueline Jeon-Chapman, Contributing writer
Hudson – Earlier this year, Hudson resident Michael Clark developed aplastic anemia, a rare autoimmune disease in which the body stops producing the necessary amount of blood cells to properly function. Suddenly, Clark lost the ability to work, and currently spends days at the hospital.
Friends, family and local businesses have united to organize Miles for Mike, a 5K walk or run, to help pay for his extensive medical bills and raise awareness for aplastic anemia. The race will take place Sunday, Oct. 19, at 10 a.m. at Riverside Park in Hudson. Participants should arrive at 9:30 a.m. to register. After the race, there will be a raffle and a gathering at a local bar.
“Mike is a great guy and had previously participated in charitable road races himself,” said race organizer Ryan Connell. “We played in a few adult sport teams together, and a road race seemed like a fitting way to raise some money for him.”
Many in the community plan on turning out to support Clark, and Connell and fellow organizer Dave Sturgeon feel hopeful that the event will be successful.
“I hope to raise enough money to help Mike with his unexpected medical bills,” Connell said. “One hundred percent of the money made is going to be given to Mike and his wife, Mandi. “In this short time since he was diagnosed, there has already been a tremendous amount of support; we are on our way to our goal of over 100 runners.”
Some paid the $35 participation fee for runners as a donation, although they cannot attend. Others have chosen to volunteer for the race, helping with organization and race management.
“We have about 20 volunteers. We can use more help. We have worked with Hudson Police to develop a safety plan to keep people on the sidewalk by having volunteers throughout the course,” Connell explained.
Additionally, Miles for Mike hopes to find more sponsors. So far, Boyd Coatings, Blushing Brides, Cressey Performance Sports and Finest Hour Gym Apparel are officially sponsoring the race.
“There are so many great people that have done so much since I was diagnosed, and setting up a race is a huge undertaking. It’s really incredible,” Clark said. “I don’t know how to express my thanks enough for everything that people are doing to try to help us get through this difficult process.”
He received a bone marrow transplant Sept. 12.
“There is no cure for aplastic anemia and a bone marrow transplant is the best chance of survival,” Mandi Clark said. “Some people never find a match and that has to be devastating. To become a donor, you can sign up at bethematch.org. I joined immediately and hope I get the chance to help a family soon.”
The “early recovery” for a bone marrow transplant takes at least 100 days. After a month of hospitalization, Michael Clark may come home, with limited contact with the outside world and frequent visits to Massachusetts General Hospital.
“There’s a lot of waiting and watching and wondering how my body is going to react so it’s been tough and I still have a long way to go before I can say I’m healthy again. I just want to let other patients know that it is a long process, but you can get through it with the support and help of people around you,” Clark said.
Clark said he chooses to look on the bright side of things both in his current recovery and in any future treatments he might receive.
“It’s been a learning experience and I just hope that through my story we’re able to raise awareness and help other patients in need of bone marrow for any disease to find a donor,” he added.
To sign up to run, volunteer or be a sponsor, visit http://www.milesformikerace.com/.