The Charlottesville Marathon Donates This Holiday Season

Charlottesville, VA (December 22, 2014) – The Miller Lite Charlottesville Marathon, Half Marathon, Donate Life Virginia Marathon Relay, Virginia Blood Services 8k and Kids K is promoting three ways to give back to the community for this Holiday Season. By partnering with three of the most active charitable organizations in the area, the Miller Lite Charlottesville Marathon is encouraging participants to give back alongside their families and friends.

By donating funds to the One Love Foundation, blood to the Virginia Blood Services or by becoming an organ donor with Donate Life Virginia, the Charlottesville Marathon is creatively finding new ways to give back, so others can share the health and wellness that many runners already enjoy. “I can’t think of a better way to activate the entire community” says Dr. Francesca Conte, President of Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports, the company behind the Charlottesville Marathon. “Giving back is what makes the Charlottesville and running community at large so special: by offering three ways to give back, we hope to engage not only race participants and runners, but also the community at large.”

The One Love Foundation mission is to end relationship violence by educating young people about the warning signs of relationship violence and helping them learn how to step up and take action: truly a worth cause to donate to. Virginia Blood Services, a major blood supplier to the area for the past 40 years, is looking to expand its reach and donor base this Holiday season to meet its ever growing need for healthy blood supply. Donate Life Virginia serves to save the lives by working to increase the number of registered donors in the Commonwealth while promoting organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation. “What better way to find the perfect way to give back than choosing between these three worth causes!” Says Alyssa Godesky, Director of Marketing for Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports. “By becoming an organ donor, giving blood or donating funds to combat relationship violence, the Charlottesville Marathon is striving toward a healthier and engaged community in the spirit of this Holiday Season.”

To find more information about the One Love Foundation, Donate Life Virginia or Virginia Blood Services or to register for the race, please visit www.charlottesvillemarathon.com

About the One Love Foundation

The One Love Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) focusing on the prevention of Relationship Violence through technology and education. One in three women (ages 16 to 24) will be a victim of Relationship Violence in their lifetime, with college age women comprising the most susceptible group. In the past year, the One Love Foundation has released an App and Public Service Announcement to bring awareness to the many people victimized by this issue. The foundation continues to grow and develop innovative tools to fight relationship violence.

About Donate Life Virginia

Donate Life Virginia, a Virginia coalition of organ procurement organizations, eye banks, transplant centers and others committed to donation and transplantation, formerly known as the Virginia Transplant Council. Donate Life Virginia serves to save the lives of Virginians by working to increase the number of registered donors in the Commonwealth while promoting organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation. www.donatelifevirginia.org

About Virginia Blood Services

Founded in 1974, Virginia Blood Services (VBS) has been a staple in the community for decades. This year, the blood supplier will be celebrating its 40th anniversary through different community efforts. VBS is the local, not-for-profit provider of blood products to hospitals. Nearly 2,700 blood drives are held every year, in addition to regular collections from the nine donor centers across Virginia, to help support area patients. It takes more than 400 donations every day to meet the needs of the medical community that VBS supports. To find out more about donating blood or hosting a blood drive, visit www.vablood.org or call 1.800.989.4438.

About Bad to the Bone

As a leader in the event production business, Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports directs premiere road and trail events in some of the most iconic locations all over the United States. Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports strives to motivate runners of all backgrounds to challenge themselves. For over 12 years, Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports events have reflected owners James Russell Gill III and Dr. Francesca Conte decades-long knowledge and passion for running. www.badtothebone.biz