The first of its kind, Virtual Marathon for Medical Research will take place on December 11, 2011 at 3:00pm EST, in support of The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada.

Albert Einstein has been brought back to the 21st century in avatar form as the "spokesperson" for the marathon. The revolutionary race is a state of the art, fundraising initiative in which ten avatars "compete" in a virtual world marathon race supporting ten diseases/causes.

Juno Award winning jazz singer Sophie Milman's avatar will be running in support of diabetes research and President and Trustee of the Asper Foundation, Gail Asper's avatar will be co-hosting the marathon along with Albert Einstein.

To register and donate online people can visit www.imric-virtualmarathon.com and select the avatar that represents the cause they wish to support. These causes and avatars include:

Diabetes, Sophie Milman

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Dr. Albert Chudley

HIV/AIDS, Dr. Adrienne Meyers

Parkinson's Disease, Allan Sayegh

Visual Impairment, The Hon. Jerry Grafstein

Breast Cancer, Dr. Karen Gelmon

Alzheimer's Disease, Nathan Lindenberg

Autism Spectrum Disorder, Connie Putterman

Prostate Cancer, Bob Shiell

Spinal Cord Injury, Dr. Phil Switzer

About IMRIC:

The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada is the medical research arm of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. IMRIC conducts fundamental and applied biomechanical research to unlock the mysteries of diseases and find the keys to their causes, treatment and prevention. Albert Einstein, the marathon's "Virtual Spokesperson" was an original member of the Hebrew University's Board of Governors and bequeathed his likeness, research papers and literary estate to the Hebrew University, IMRIC's partner.

Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IMRIC.HU

Find us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/imric_davidl

Spokespersons available for interviews.

To view the video associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TExDaxjtaeo .