Current Newsletter - Achilles International

AchillesThere’s a New Synergy inU.S. Chapters!Six U.S. chapters launched in2012, Houston and Pittsburghlaunched this year, and three additionalcharters were recentlysigned. It is a pleasure to havechapter leadership in so manyU.S. cities and states! The synergyamong chapters was mostevident at the January DisneyMarathon weekend when Cignasponsored Achilles athletes from key markets. RepresentingU.S. chapters were: Erin Spaulding from Connecticut;Brooke Voss from Greater Phoenix; TheresaKhayyam from Nashville; Fiona McKinney from NewYork; Francine Prescott from South Florida; David Finlandfrom Metro DC; plus Bruce Linsky and KinzeyLynch from Philadelphia. With Cigna employees astheir guides, the entire crew triumphed in the excitinghalf marathon. The chapter members were joined by twomembers of the Cigna/Achilles referral program, whichprovides training and other support to people receivinglong term disability services from Cigna. Brian Airgoodand Dominic Alexander both overcame incredible odds,and travelled long distances, to compete in the full marathon.With Chapter members, Cigna customers, FreedomTeam and Achilles Kids in attendance, it was a trulyGO ACHILLES! weekend!Early in November, the Dallas-FortWorth Chapter of Achilles held aCigna “Go You” 5K. It was the greatestway to kick-off the chapter asproceeds benefitted Achilles International.Texas kept cooking as the DallasMayor’s Race on Dec. 8, 2012 waswell attended by the Dallas-FortWorth Chapter of Achilles (many ofwhom are Cigna employees). KidsBraden and Blair Sheorn from AchillesNashville and their parents Jimand Melissa came to Dallas for the weekend sponsoredby Cigna and Achilles. Participants in the Cigna-Achillescustomer referral program: Louis Albertson (Ontario,Canada); Jerry Kovar (Sandy, Texas); and David Mc-Govern (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), also traveled toDallas for the Mayor’s Race. We enjoyed getting to knoweach other and hearing everyone’s inspirational storiesin person.Achilles - Nashville’s remarkable first year ended ona high note: Mayor Karl Dean, as part of his 2nd annual100-Mile Walk Challenge, walked with the chapteron Dec. 19. The holiday party followed and was attendedby nearly 80 people. “It truly felt like family,” said SarahHart, Nashville chapter president. Nine Achilles athletesare training for various distance races comprising theNashville Country Music Marathon on April 27th, 2013.Achilles - Pittsburgh Chapter began workouts on Feb.4 Spring 2013Top: Nashville's Theresa Khayyam meets Metro DC's Glen Finland. Bottom: Go Achilles and Go You! At the Dallas Mayor’s Race.