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These extraordinary runners hail from the United States and eight other countries, including Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Global Heroes is a cooperative effort between the Medtronic Foundation and Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. that celebrates the accomplishments of runners who have medical devices to treat conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, spinal disorders, chronic pain or neurological disorders, and whose continued passion for running serves as an inspiration to others. The Medtronic Foundation launched the program in 2006. “By embracing the challenge of running a marathon or ten-mile race, these exceptional individuals motivate others to take action in their own lives,” states Stephen Oesterle, MD, senior vice president for medicine and technology at Medtronic. “It’s a vibrant example of how medical technology is helping people live full, active lives.” 2009 Global Hero award winners and finishers include: (Visit www.medtronic.com/globalheroes to read their individual stories.) Marathon Participants Carol Foote, Dunedin, New Zealand Robb Greenawald, Green Bay, Wisc. Bethany Hueholt Leavens, Charlottesville, Va. Christopher Kamrath, Chippewa Falls, Wisc. Deby Kumasaka, Edmonds, Wash. Norman Lee, Edgewater, Md. Leslie Minnix-Wolfe, Herndon, Va. Shuji Noguchi, Kitakyushu, Japan Pierluigi Pagani, Cavernago, Italy Scott Sneller, Grand Rapids, Mich. Ulrike Thurm, Berlin, Germany Ten Mile Participants Elizabeth Berry, Tucson, Ariz. Adam Burrack, Buena Vista, Wisc. Kayrat Disinbayev, Moscow, Russia Gary Foskuhl, Dayton, Ohio Beth Greenaway, Saltash, United Kingdom Fernando Herrera Atienza, La Rinconada (Sevilla), Spain Brian Hicks, Pike Road, Ala. Dennis Houghton, Hoffman Estates, Ill. Daniel Jongeling, Rapid City, S.D. Christine Kelley, Eden Prairie, Minn. John
O’Malley, Apex, N.C. Kelly Robinson, Seattle, Wash. Jill Tsuchitori, Honolulu, Hawaii Debbie Zelez, Okotoks, Alberta, Canada In addition to providing each Global Hero with an entry into the marathon or 10-mile race and a travel allowance, the Medtronic Foundation will donate $1,000 to a non-profit patient organization that educates and supports people who live with the runner's condition. For more information on how to apply or nominate someone to be a Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Global Hero, visit www.medtronic.com/globalheroes. All runners with medical devices are welcome to apply with no restrictions on manufacturer. Applicants must certify that they have obtained physician approval to participate in the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or Medtronic TC 10 Mile race. Global Heroes are chosen by a committee of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. These patient stories capture individual successful experiences and individual results may vary. Implantable devices are not for everyone, and all devices described on this site carry risks. You should consult with your physician about any questions or concerns you have related to your own health, and also about the risks and benefits associated with medical device therapy to know whether medical device therapy might be an option for you. About Global Heroes About Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon About Medtronic Source: Medtronic, Inc. |
