Levison 5K still on mission to back research
By SARA JOHNSON
Published: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 2:08 PM EDT
http://www.columbuslocalnews.com/
Longtime Bexley resident Marc Levison wears the same two bracelets just
about every day. He sports a crimson rubber bracelet on his left wrist that
states, "Strike Out ALS," and a delicately-detailed silver bracelet on his
right wrist meaning, "from dirt comes a flower."
Despite 19 years with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or commonly referred to Lou Gehrig's Disease, and a recent bout with bladder cancer, Marc Levison keeps a smile on his face. On a recent sunny afternoon, he sat in his motorized wheelchair in his home with his wife of nearly 41 years, Eileen -- proudly wearing her Marc Levison 5K Run-Walk event T-shirt from last year.
He exhibits excitement as the sixth annual Marc Levison 5K Run-Walk event is quickly approaching. He will be a face in the crowd, along with many others, when the race takes place at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 31, starting at the Jeffrey Mansion, 165 N. Parkview Ave.
Registration day of the event begins at 7:30 a.m. The entry fee is $25 before Aug. 24, $30 after the early deadline. Official event T-shirts will be provided on a first come, first serve basis.
Since the event's inauguration, the Levison family has donated around $115,000 to Nationwide Children's Hospital toward research for ALS, a motor neuron disease that currently has no cure.
"That's why we keep pushing to raise as much funds as we can for research. It's not just for us, but will hopefully help and be beneficial to others," Eileen Levison said.
The Levisons will continue to hold the event for years to come, or until a cure is found.
"We live for a lot of people; not just for ourselves. What I am doing is not just for me," said Marc Levison, with his wife helping as translator.
He often travels around Bexley in his wheelchair, stopping at nearby assisted living homes to give flowers to those he knows, or to make his daily stop at the local Starbucks.
"He's like the Energizer bunny. He's a people magnet, too. His motto is 'I will not give up,' and he definitely will not," Eileen Levison said.
His positive approach formed after he served in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam from 1965-68 as he learned to put up with a lot, Marc Levison said.
His outlook, along with the love and support from family and friends, is what keeps him going, Eileen Levison said.
"His spirit is indomitable. He could just cave in, and do what a lot of people do in such circumstances, but he's just always going to test the limits and always push," said Gary Liebesman, a Levison family friend.
"That's really the message to me. He is just an example of somebody who wants to live his life to the fullest."
With everything Marc Levison faces, he has tremendous energy and a will to live, Liebesman said. He doesn't accept any obstacle.
"So many people, myself included, get so frustrated with all the little things in life. He has many difficulties, but he's certainly on the go," Liebesman said.
Marc and Eileen Levison's son, Brent, said he gets great joy in seeing so many people come to the race to support his father. He continues to learn something every day from his father.
"You can accomplish anything you believe in, and even with adversity, you can really remain positive and inspire others," Brent Levison said.
People may register for the race at premierraces.com/races/marclevison.html.
Donations may be sent to: the Helping Link Foundation in care of the Marc Levison Run for ALS, 2740 Fair Ave., Columbus, OH 43209.
For more information contact Liebesman 614-239-0923 or Brent Levison at 614-296-4625.
~Best viewed with a positive attitude~