Risking it all for Luci

Online, October 17, 2009 (Newswire.com) - October 25th, George Chmiel starts a 7 day, 155 mile race across the Sahara Desert. Temperatures average 140 degrees, there is no team of supporters and he must carry all supplies in a small backpack.

"It's going to be exceptionally painful and I'll probably do a good bit of permanent damage to my body but with everyone's support I have zero doubt I'll make it across the finish line" said George Chmiel, Vice President in Bank of America / Merrill Lynch's Structured Investments division. He is running the Sahara Desert Race on behalf of a friend's child named Luci, age 3.

Chmiel resides in Boston, Massachusetts. He's inspired by the frequent life threatening struggles and the love and courage within the Horvath family. Luci Horvath was born with a rare, life long condition called Panhypopituitarism. "I'm going to take on this challenge. I want to make it count, impact someone's life", Chmiel said. "The thought of having to run 155 miles in that kind of heat is downright scary. At this juncture, it seems impossible and beyond the limits of what my body is capable of handling. But if I was to actually believe that, I'd have no chance of completing this journey."

A relatively new runner (only 2 years under his belt), his entrance in the dangerous Sahara Race is highly unusual. Running the race on behalf of ill children is extraordinary.

For more information visit George's Website at www.luciandgeorge.com or

The MAGIC Foundation: www.magicfoundation.org.

Contact Information:
The MAGIC Foundation
M-F (central) (708) 383-0808 Mary Andrews
After hours: Jamie Harvey(229)740-0167
[email protected]
www.magicfoundation.org

George Chmiel
Phone: 347-453-6618
Email: [email protected]
www.luciandgeorge.com

Jolie Horvath (Luci's mother)in Texas
Cell: 713-702-3501