Proceeds benefit Donate Life program to encourage organ and tissue donation
The SunTrust Richmond Marathon unveiled its 2004 Commemorative poster, created by local artist Robert Meganck. All proceeds from the sale of the poster benefit Donate Life, the official beneficiary of the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, which works to increase organ and tissue donation. Donate Life is a program of the non-profit agencies UNOS and LifeNet and its educational efforts encourage all Americans to say "yes" to organ and tissue donation and record a donation decision.

The 22" x 28" poster depicts an idealized and abstracted lone marathon runner with references to Richmond row houses, the James River, and the fall season. It is currently available for purchase on the race Web site and will also be offered at the race expo on Friday, November 12 from 11 am until 8 pm at the Omni Richmond Hotel at 100 South 12th Street. The 27th running of the SunTrust Richmond Marathon will take place on Saturday, November 13 beginning at 8 am.

Mr. Meganck is a freelance illustrator and president of Communication Design, Inc. and a professor of illustration, graphic design, and digital imaging in the Communication Arts Program at Virginia Commonwealth University. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills Michigan.

He has received numerous professional awards and been recognized for excellence by such organizations as The Society of Illustrators (NY), The Society of Illustrators Los Angeles, and The Illustrators Club of Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. His work has been included in a variety of national reviews including Communication Arts Magazine's Illustration Annuals, American Illustration Annuals, Print Magazine's Region Design Annuals, and The Society of Illustrators Annuals.

His clients include The Washington Post, The Progressive, U.S. News and World Report, The New Republic, Virginia Living, Richmond magazine, The Washington City Paper, and The Harvard Business Review. His digital work has been the subject of feature articles in Design (Society of News Design's Quarterly Journal), e-Design magazine, and Computer Art magazine.

For more information about the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, including online registration, visit the official race Web site.