By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – Folks are teaming up to help someone struggling with cancer. Miles for Miranda is an initiative started by Mary Beth Hebb to raise money and awareness for Miranda Maxwell, who she describes as a treasured friend, cousin, niece, sister, daughter, wife and mother who is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
Hebb said she has known Maxwell since they met in youth group in high school.
“I have known her and her family a good while,” Hebb said. “It is hard to hear when somebody has cancer, especially when it is someone so close to you, so close to your age and so young.”
Hebb said she started Miles for Miranda because she felt it was something she could do to help her friend and she felt the Lord was giving her something to run for.
“I am a runner and I was going to run anyway,” Hebb said. “I am running two half marathons so I am using this as a campaign to raise money for Miranda.”
Maxwell has been fighting brain cancer for two years. “She is a teacher at Buckhannon Elementary School and her husband is a teacher and basketball coach in Buckhannon as well.”
Hebb said 1/10 of a mile for every $1 donated. “So if someone donates $10, I will run a mile. I am currently training for two races this summer and will be running those for Miranda as well.”
Those races are two half-marathons, one at Decker’s Creek in Morgantown on June 4 and one at the New River Gorge in Minden Aug. 24.
“We have set up a gofundme account called Miles for Miranda,” Hebb said. “Cash and check donations will also be collected at the WV State Police in Parsons, or mailed to P.O. Box 161, Hendricks W.Va. 26271.”
Hebb said insurance does not cover all the costs associated with battling cancer.
“Insurance does not cover everything,” Hebb said. “There are also costs for traveling for treatment including gasoline, food and other expenses associated with traveling for those treatments.”
Hebb said she and friends will host a 5K run and 2 mile walk in Parsons Aug. 6 to help benefit Miranda. “It will start at 9 a.m. at Mill Race Park,” Hebb said. “I have registration forms and the entry fee is $10. All proceeds will go to help Miranda.”
