Jack's Team Honors Local's Memory During 35th Chicago Marathon

As the runners pound the pavement Sunday during the 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, a team from Glen Ellyn will be running for a cause and remembering a local man who lost his battle with melanoma in 2004.

Jack’s Team will be running to raise awareness and funds in the fight against melanoma. The nonprofit Jack H. Marston II Melanoma Fund was founded after Marston, a Glen Ellyn resident, lost his battle with melanoma. He was 47.

An athlete and four-time participant in the Chicago Marathon, Marston had a zest for life that inspired others and has led runners to take up the fight against melanoma, according to the nonprofit. Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It is the leading cause of death from skin disease, according to the National Institutes of Health.

A team of 10 people will be running as part of Jack’s Team and in honor of loved ones who battled the cancer. Along with training for the marathon, the runners have participated in fundraising efforts. 

“Our marathoners connect closely with those who battle cancer and often are battling the disease themselves,” according to the nonprofit. “Fathers running for daughters, siblings supporting their sister, friends missing friends and a team captain praying for all of us. Running for a cause is their way of making a difference.  Please take a moment to read their personal stories and support their fundraising efforts.”

Jack’s Team members from Glen Ellyn include:

Tom Johnsen, Jenn Marston, Steve Lutz, Jim Nagle, David and Victoria Noland

Running for their wife and mom: Dave Plumb, Chelle Berkland, Stacey Plumb. 

Running for daughter:  Michael Cipriano

The 9th annual "This Run's For Jack" 5K run/walk will be held Oct. 14 at 8 a.m.

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