MILES FOR MERAK STEP CHALLENGE - WALK or RUN!

MILES FOR MERAK STEP CHALLENGE - WALK or RUN! supporting UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center
MILES FOR MERAK STEP CHALLENGE - WALK or RUN!

About Miles for Merak Step Challenge

WHO? YOU! SIGN UP AND GET MOVING FOR TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS TO PRIORITIZE YOUR HEALTH WHILE RAISING FUNDS FOR GIST CANCER RESEARCH.

WHAT? THIS IS A TWO-WEEK VIRTUAL STEP CHALLENGE AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO START NEW HABITS OR UP YOUR CURRENT GAME.

WHEN? DECEMBER 1 THROUGH DECEMBER 14. 

WHERE? ANYWHERE! GET YOUR MILES IN WITH FRIENDS ON A HIKE, ON THE TREADMILL AT THE GYM, OR DURING A 30-MINUTE WALK ON YOUR LUNCH BREAK.

WHY? BECAUSE YOUR HEALTH IS IMPORTANT, AND SO IS CANCER RESEARCH. MAKE BOTH A PRIORITY. WE TALK ABOUT STARTING THE YEAR WITH NEW HABITS, BUT WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO START RIGHT NOW! WHY WAIT?

CHALLENGE: HOW MANY MILES CAN YOU WALK IN 2 WEEKS? 

Date

Starts at:  December 1, 2023 2:00 AM
Ends at:  December 15, 2023 1:59 AM

Location

, USA

Contact

Maura Caffrey or Jaimin R. Shah
mcaffrey@health.ucsd.edu

Merak



Merak Melikian Hatounian

At the age of 20, Debra Melikian’s only child Merak was diagnosed with a rare hereditary form of cancer known as SDH-deficient Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (SDH-deficient GIST). Currently, there is no cure.

Merak refused to let cancer define him as he lived his life on his own terms with drive and fierce determination. He learned how to fight cancer by watching his father Keith bravely fight a related form of cancer. No matter how difficult cancer’s challenges got, Merak never complained. Merak continued to maintain his positive attitude and outlook and kept fighting, all the while inspiring and motivating others, near and far. Sadly, in February 2020, Merak, at 25 years old, passed away with his loving mother at his side. We all agree that Merak touched so many lives. His memory will live on with everyone who knew and loved him.

Thank you for helping us make a difference in GIST cancer research today.




Miles For Merak Step Challenge



We invite you to join us for the 4th annual Miles for Merak Step Challenge. This two-week-long virtual step challenge will be held December 1 through December 14 and will raise vital funding to accelerate gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) cancer research in memory of Merak Melikian Hatounian, forever 25 years old.




How Your Support Makes a Difference





Please help us move GIST research forward in our quest for a cure. We do not want any other family to have to endure the despair and destruction that this cancer brings.




Thank you for your support!