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Published in Daily Press, Hampton Roads VA Thursday April 12th, 2007.

SMITHFIELD GRAD TESTS LIMITS

A Race for a Friend's Health

A 21-year-old woman will run the Boston Marathon, with a goal of raising $3,000 for multiple sclerosis.

By Susan Smigielski Acker
Special to the Daily Press

April 12, 2007

Smithfield High School graduate, Virginia "Van" Credle, hopes to help raise money and awareness of a crippling disease that has affected a friend by running the long race.

Credle will run as a member of Strides Against MS team in the 111th Boston Marathon to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis – a neurological disease. The legendary marathon is 26 miles and is set for April 16.

Long-time family friend, Deana Owens of Smithfield, has the disease but manages to show much strength, said Credle. "You would never know she has it. She is there for anyone who needs her. She continues to have faith and love for everyone," she said with admiration in her voice.

The pair grew close when Owens served as Credle's sponsor when she confirmed her religious beliefs at Good Shepard Catholic Church in Smithfield several years ago.

"I am honored that is doing this for me. It means so much to me," Owens said.

The 44-year-old bank teller at Old Point National Bank said it has been two years since she had an attack which can be temporary paralysis and even blindness. She was diagnosed 15 years ago when her four children were young.

"My youngest son about three years old when I had an attack and he has pretty much grown up with seeing me with an IV in my arm," she said.

"I pray everyday about it. My doctor said that my positive attitude keeps me well. I am determined not to be crippled," Owens said.

Part of Owens treatment is a weekly shot that must penetrate the muscle. Her husband of 28 years, Joe, administers the shot.

While Owens treats the disease and maintains a positive attitude, Credle, 21, is under a fast track to train for the team of 50 people. She joined the team just six weeks prior to the marathon although she applied in September. She was initially put on the wait list. However several weeks ago, she received an email that an opening had become available.

"I had to quickly change my routine to include several miles of running a day and petitioning for donations in the evening," Credle said.

Currently living in Princeton, N.J., Credle is a software marketing representative. She runs about six miles a day with one long run a week of 10 to 20 miles.

"I average about 50 miles a week. The marathon is getting close, so I am beginning to taper off," Credle said.

"The weather has not been so nice here (in New Jersey) so it has been a little hard when it is cold. I've even run through two blizzards," Credle said.

Credle has been an athlete most of her life. She was captain of Smithfield High School's varsity soccer team and a member of the cross country team. Currently she is also participating in rowing events.

The training lifestyle also includes a balanced diet of the three P's - protein, produce and pasta and one C.

"I eat a lot of carbs such as pasta and I also take a lot of vitamin C to ward off any colds. I also include a lot of fiber," she said.

In order to be on the team, each member must commit to raising $2,500 for the MS society. Credle has set a goal of $3,000 and the team's goal is $300,000 said Steven Sookikian, director of communications for the MS Society.

Presented by the Boston Athletic Association, the race has teams representing other charities to raise money and awareness for their cause, he said.

Her fund raising efforts include asking artist friends to donate art work to create shirts, greeting cards and calendars to sell.

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. It interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving, Sookikian said.

MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S., and 2.5 million worldwide. Someone is newly diagnosed with MS every hour in the United States. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis, he said.

"There is everything from mobility issues to temporary paralysis, limping, to even in some cases being blind for a few weeks at a time," he said.

Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men contracting the disease, Sookikian said.

The MS Society serves people with the disease and their families with education, advocacy and research for treatment and a cure.

"We are a place to turn to learn on how to cope with MS. If someone needs information, we provide it. If they need special services such as a wheelchair we help them to maneuver the public and private health systems to get what they need," he said.

"We also have people researching a cure," Sookikian added.

"People running in the race will help raise money for all of our causes," he said.