Tommy Neeson runs to bring awareness to Ronald McDonald Houses. His family stayed at a Ronald McDonald House when his two- year- old daughter, Randi was diagnosed with brain cancer. Tommy Neeson, a 39 year- old resident of Virginia Beach, has set off on a 2300 mile run from Bangor, Maine to Miami, Florida to raise awareness for the Ronald McDonald Houses he will visit along the way. His route will take him through the Eastern United States with visits to 75 Ronald McDonald Houses.

On Monday, October 27, 2008, Neeson was in Columbia, on the 49th day of his journey and to visit his 23rd Ronald McDonald House located at 2955 Colonial Drive. At that point he had run 1,483 miles.

Neeson shared with the group in the Columbia house how the Ronald McDonald House affected his family's life in a time of tragedy.

In 1998, his twoyear- old daughter Randi was diagnosed with brain cancer. They were living in New York at the time and decided New York University was the best place for Randi to receive treatment. At first, his wife stayed with Randi during the week and Neeson was able to be there only on the weekends. Fortunately, they learned of the Ronald McDonald House in the area and were able to stay there together as a family and even have extended family visit. It became a home away from home.

Neeson says that living at the Ronald McDonald House was the best way for him to process emotions, to handle emergencies and to have positive life experiences in the midst of tragedy. He says there is a sense of community in the houses that cannot take place elsewhere. Families from different backgrounds live together each with the common struggle of having a seriously ill child. These families become lifelong friends and encourage and share the hardships of their lives together.

Neeson shares:

"Life spins seemingly out of control in these times and when things like having your family together, instead of being split apart, are times when you can breath and feel relaxed. You see, the doctors, nurses, and the medications were there to treat Randi, the Ronald McDonald House was there to treat the whole family. That in the end is what motivates me to run 30 miles a day for weeks on end down the east coast.

There is an Chinese

ProverIbf ytohuat w goaenst: happiness

for an hour, take a nap.

If you want happiness

for a day, go fishing.

If you want happiness

for a year, inherit a fortune.

If you want happiness

for a lifetime, help somebody.

Neeson was accompanied out of Columbia by four members of the USC Cross Country Team. He was on his way to Wagener, S.C. and then onto Augusta, Ga.

To follow Neeson's route or donate to the cause, go to his website at: www.runnerssociety.com or contact Kristen Rea at the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Columbia at (803) 254-0118.