Heidi is actively raising funds through her web page set up by Team in Training - a website that helps track and log marathon training schedules and helps individuals collect donations from supporters.

Andres was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma in March of 2004 during a routine examination and subsequent hernia operation. His doctor, Jonathan Greenfeld made diagnosis and together with Cancer Research Unit of University Medical Center in Tucson AZ - moved ahead quickly perscribing an aggressive schedule of chemotherapy and sugery which ended in August of 2004.

You can see pictures and progress of Andres' fight with Hepatoblastoma at http://baby.mperalta.com - his parents, Miguel and Lucinda Peralta are very proud of Andres and were excited to hear about Heidi's courage and willingness to run marathon in his name.

How is Risperdal® different than other drugs? How long does it take for Risperdal® to start working? How long do I need to take Risperdal®? Will Risperdal® improve how I feel? What are typical side effects of Risperdal®? What other side effects exist? Studies on safety of Risperdal®

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is Risperdal? RISPERDAL®, generically known as risperidone, is an FDA approved medication for treatment of bipolar I disorder and is also approved or to treat acute to manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder. It is approved for use as therapy alone or in combination with drugs called mood stabilizers, such as lithium or valproate. Risperdal is also approved for bipolar mania.

The drug was released in 1994 and is prescribed worldwide. It is one of a family of “atypical antipsychotic medications” used to treat schizophrenia and psychotic disorders. Risperdal® improves schizophrenia's positive symptoms (e.g., visual and auditory hallucinations, delusions, and thought disturbances) and may also help treat illness’ negative symptoms (e.g., social withdrawal, apathy, lack of motivation, and inability to experience pleasure).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How does Risperdal® work? In order to treat chemical imbalances associated with bipolar mania, dopamine and serotonin levels are controlled using drug. While specific details of how Risperdal® does this are not known, testing shows that Risperdal® adjusts balance of dopamine and serotonin thereby reducing bipolar mania. It is important to note that Risperdal® does not cure, but only helps to control mania.

Risperdal®, like some other atypical antipsychotics, is designed as a serotonin/dopamine antagonist. Apparently, Risperdal blocks serotonin and dopamine, two neurotransmitter chemicals in brains.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How is Risperdal® different than other drugs? Conventional antipsychotics seem to primarily affect only dopamine. Risperdal® affects both. Antipsychotics such as Haldol, Stelazine, and Prolixin have treated symptoms in many patients. However, these drugs do not satisfactorily affect negative (depressive) symptoms, Risperdal® has been shown to be as effective as conventional medications in treating positive symptoms.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------