Salsaga Blog

DENVER, May 6 /PRNewswire/ — Racing driver and team owner Steve Marcus and his partners will donate their 2008 season race proceeds from their new BMW Z4 M Coupe to the Meisha’s Hope AIHA/IMHA Fund #338 at Morris Animal Foundation (MAF). All donations to Meisha’s Hope are used to fund research into the prevention and treatment of this often fatal blood disorder in dogs called immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), also known as autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Marcus’s Siberian husky Tasha was diagnosed with the disease in mid-March.(Logo: )This autoimmune disease causes a dog’s body to destroy its own red blood cells. There is no cure and many dogs — more than 50 percent — die within weeks of diagnosis. After realizing how little research has been done into AIHA/IMHA, Marcus decided to raise money for the Meisha’s Hope AIHA/IMHA Fund #338. Marcus will debut his BMW Z4 M coupe, which will sport paw print decals and the Morris Animal Foundation colors and logo, on May 24 at Lime Rock Park Race Track in Connecticut.The Lime Rock event also will include informational brochures about AIHA/IMHA. Caps, T-shirts and stickers featuring the paw print and logos will be available and donations accepted, with proceeds going directly to the Meisha’s Hope AIHA/IMHA Fund #338 at Morris Animal Foundation. Additional proceeds from events at the KONI Challenge and BMWCCA will go into the fund as well. Through his “Race for Hope” fundraising efforts, Marcus hopes to raise more than $500,000 for AIHA/IMHA research.”This is how I can help my own dog and other dogs,” Marcus says. “We have tremendous ability to showcase Morris Animal Foundation and what they do and to direct funding for research to the Meisha’s Hope Fund. I’m going for it and I don’t like to be second place!”The Meisha’s Hope AIHA/IMHA Fund #338 was established at Morris Animal Foundation in 2002 by Joanne and David Dickson, whose dog Meisha was diagnosed with AIHA at age 3 and lived with the disease for nearly 10 years. The fund has raised more than $150,000 for research studies into AIHA/IMHA. These MAF-funded studies provided early insight into blood clotting complications, which often cause death in dogs with AIHA/ IMHA, as well as novel drug treatments.To support the Meisha’s Hope Fund, go to .About Morris Animal Foundation: Morris Animal Foundation, established in 1948, is dedicated to funding research that protects, treats and cures companion animals and wildlife. MAF has been at the forefront of funding breakthrough research studies benefiting animals in some 100 countries, spanning all seven continents on earth. MAF has its headquarters in Denver, Colorado. The Foundation has funded nearly 1,400 humane animal health studies with funds totaling more than $51 million. One hundred percent of annual donations go to fund health study programs. Charity Navigator ranks MAF as a four-star charity, the highest rating. For more information, call (800) 243-2345, or visit . Media Contact: Heidi Jeter 303-790-2345Morris Animal Foundation

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