Marathon helps Eve Overton honor late grandfather, a lifelong athlete

Eve Overton, of Berkeley, Calif., is running the New York City Marathon in tribute to her maternal grandparents, who passed away from multiple myeloma.

Eve never met her grandmother, who died at 51 from myeloma. Her grandfather was diagnosed with myeloma in February and passed away in April.

"I believe that if someone like me, who has seen how horrible this illness is, doesn't get involved with the fight against it, how can I expect others to care?" she said.

Eve signed up for the marathon, which will be her first, after her grandfather's diagnosis. He was a talented, lifelong athlete who was proud of his grandchildren's athletic endeavors.

"My training has allowed me to set aside time to grieve and remember him. I feel a close connection to him as I prepare for race day," Eve said.

Half-marathoner to turn marathoner in honor of friend

Avid half-marathoner Ami Doughtry will make her marathon debut in honor of her high school friend, Willa Meshack.Willa, 39, has been living with multiple myeloma since June 5, 2008. She has endured numerous treatments, pain, physical therapy and major life adjustments.

She doesn't look at this disease as a "death sentence", but an opportunity for a "new lease on life," said Ami, of Texas. Willa has the support of her mother, brother, niece (Zoey), roommate and countless others. Willa is feeling better and is in high spirits. It's because of the MMRF that new drugs get discovered and approved for her and other patients.

Vincent D'Eramo to run New York City Marathon in uncle's memory

Vincent D'Eramo spent this past winter preparing for the Boston Marathon. His hard work paid off, and he earned a personal record. On the same day of the race, his uncle Nino D'Eramo, who had battled against multiple myeloma, died.

"Life has its turns," Vincent said.

Vincent will run the New York City Marathon in memory of his uncle, who bravely fought multiple myeloma for 18 months.

This won't be Vincent's first trip to the starting line of the New York City Marathon. In 2009, the New York City resident ran the marathon on behalf of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and raised $4,000.