Mass. Eye and Ear is proud to again be selected as an official charity to receive 50 invitational marathon entries for the 2012 Boston Marathon in partnership with the John Hancock Non-Profit Program. An invitational entry allows participation in the marathon without meeting official time requirements. Thanks for our six-year partnership with John Hancock Financial Services, the lead sponsor of the Boston Marathon, Team Eye and Ear has now raised more than $1.4 million to benefit patient care and research at Mass Eye and Ear. In 2012, Team Eye and Ear aims to raise $350,000.

Team Eye and Ear members span a wide range of athletic abilities (novice to experience marathoners) and walks of life.They are generous and dedicated individuals who are athletes, fundraisers and ambassadors for Mass Eye and Ear.Their hard word, dedication and pure passion brings new hope and a healthier future to people everywhere who suffer from debilitating conditions affecting sight, hearing, voice, balance, taste and smell, as well as cancers of the eye, head and neck. Join the camaraderie of Team Eye and Ear and help others fully experience life.

Great Team Benefits!

- Guaranteed race entry for the 2012 Boston Marathon.

- Team kick-off and celebratory events with other Team Eye and Ear runners.

- Access to an exclusive marathon training program to help you get from Hopkinton to Copley Square, for first-timers to veterans. Training program highlights include weekly group runs, workshops and detailed daily manuals. Team Coach Fred Treseler is one of the premier coaches in the running industry.

- A convenient heated indoor meeting facility with restrooms near the starting line on race day.

- Meet Marathon Legend Kathrine Switzer at a Team Eye and Ear exclusive event on marathon weekend.

- The knowledge that you are making a difference in the lives of others by raising money for an important cause!

- You will receive a fundraising training, tools and support through workshops, the Team Eye and Ear online fundraising resource library, and more. You will also have the opportunity to set up your own personal web site through Crowd Rise, where you can share your story and securely accept online donations.

- Exclusive Team Eye and Ear apparel.

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For questions or additional information, please contact Kristina Sym at kristina_sym@meei.harvard.edu or (617) 573-6364.