Faces of Giving

Jason Thomas

A West Virginia University Political Science faculty member has raised nearly $3,000 to help cancer patients in memory of his mother.  An avid runner, Jason Thomas of WVU’s Political Science Department, participated in several races this summer to raise money for a fund he established at the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center named after his mother, Carolyn E. Miller, who lost her battle to esophageal cancer two years ago.

The Carolyn E. Miller Steps for Solace Fund will help make patient visits to the Cancer Center Clinic as pleasant and personalized as possible.  It will be used to provide beverages, newspapers, magazines, and assistance with such things as finding the perfect wig or scarf.

Friends, family, coworkers and businesses made donations in support of Thomas who hoped to raise $25,000 by the 2008 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. this October.  That is the amount needed to endow the fund so that it will be an ongoing source of revenue.

Thomas is pleased that he finished the marathon.  “Running a marathon is a hard thing to do.  So anytime I finish it is a good day.”

The Fairmont native is very happy that folks donated to his cause.  “It means a lot that folks can put forward money in harsh economic times.  It shows that we care about one another.  My mom would be very happy about that.”

Thomas created the fund to maintain his mother’s legacy of generosity and compassion for others. “She was an amazing woman.  In her last days, she was more concerned with comforting the people around her than her own suffering.”

Thomas also lost his father to cancer.  Jacob “Butch” Thomas died of melanoma when Jason was just a toddler.

Following a half marathon in November, Thomas plans to hang up his running shoes for a while before he begins training for triathlons in early 2009. He hopes to do a full Ironman in 2010.  That type of race includes a 2.4 mile swim, 112 miles of biking, and a 26.2 mile run. 

“I’ll keep running as long as people keep donating,” he said.

All donations to the new fund are tax deductable. You can Make a Gift Online to the Carolyn E. Miller Steps for Solace Fund or by contacting The Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center at (304)293-4597.  To track Thomas’ race schedule and performance go to his blog at recastiniron.blogspot.com.

See the archive of past featured Faces of Giving