Pull-up duel for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society April 13

Carmel Valley trainers Marko Dresevic and Ezra Rama Sundhara will compete in a charity pull-up duel benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on Friday, April 13 at 7 p.m. at the Carmel Valley Recreation Center.

Participants can make a donation to the cause and then place a bet on one of the competitors: 45-year-old Dresevic (6’2”, 180 pounds) or 26-year-old Rama Sundhara, (5’10.5”, 170 pounds).

The three closest guesses will receive prizes for their philanthropic gesture and the event will be live-streamed on Marko Dresevic’s Facebook page.

All funds donated will go toward helping to save a life with breakthrough therapies for blood cancer.

So far, Dresevic has raised $1,796 in support of his friend Ruth Fay’s b.strong Team in Training fundraising efforts.The team has raised $211,385 toward their $300,000 goal this year.

Team b. strong formed a few years ago to honor team member and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) survivor Bernard Llave with the goal of raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma’s “Beat AML Master Clinical Trial.” The Beat AML clinical trial is a collaborative program using genomics to find cures for this deadly disease. Last year the FDA approved two immunotherapies that were pioneered with LLS funding.

“This work is very personal to me as I lost my husband to AML six years ago,” said Fay, a Del Mar resident. “We are working tirelessly for a world without blood cancer.”

b. strong team members are training for a number of upcoming events, including triathlons, marathons, half marathons and 100-mile century bicycle rides. Fay is personally training for a June 3 century ride around Lake Tahoe called America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride.

After being diagnosed with AML six years ago, Llave underwent a bone marrow transplant and was in remission for about five years before he relapsed. After his relapse he had a second bone marrow transplant. He is now receiving maintenance chemo to keep the leukemia in check.

“Bernard is such an inspiring person and he is usually out there training with us every Saturday morning,” Fay said. “We are hopeful that he will become eligible for a clinical trial in the future.”

As part of the April 13 pull-up duel, people can also opt to challenge Marko or Ezra individually. Dresevic’s daughter Amaya is offering an open challenge to any 7-year-old girl.

To donate, visit bit.ly/2v3EpPT