Program director for Boca Raton-based Caron's Renaissance Institute, Rich Craig is taking steps to call attention to substance abuse treatment.

Steps in his Jupiter neighborhood. Steps up and down the Blue Heron bridge. And on May 17 he'll be taking a marathon's-worth of steps throughout the farmland and tiny villages of China's Tianjin province -- including stepping up and down 3,700 actual steps along six kilometers of the Great Wall of China.

On May 17, Craig will take part in the Great Wall of China Marathon as part of a "Run 7 on 7" mission to raise awareness and funds for Caron Treatment Centers.

Craig's sole searching feat was inspired by fellow marathoner and friend, Linda Quirk - a 55-year-old grandmother who is running seven marathons on seven continents (Run7on7.com) with a goal of raising $1 million for substance abuse treatment at Caron's Renaissance Institute.

A highly regarded clinician/therapist at Caron's Renaissance Institute, Craig has more than 20 years of experience working with individuals and families in the field of addiction treatment. Based on the belief that chemical dependency is a family disease and that family involvement and awareness are an integral part of the recovery process, he has implemented a comprehensive family program at Caron's Renaissance Institute. He holds a master's degree in healthcare administration.

"Although I will benefit physically, emotionally, and spiritually, these are not the primary reasons I am participating," said Craig. "My personal commitment and dedication is to the mission of Renaissance and to totally support a woman I have come to greatly admire and appreciate."

About Run7on7.com

Run7on7.com is an independent, non-for-profit website funded by Linda Quirk and is currently looking for sponsors. The sole purpose of the website is to raise awareness and much-needed funds for Caron's addiction scholarship program that assists families in need. All Run7on7.com donations go towards supporting Caron's addiction scholarship program.

About Caron Treatment Centers

Caron Treatment Centers is a nationally recognized non-profit provider of alcohol and drug addiction treatment with more than 50 years in the field . Caron offers primary, relapse and extended residential treatment for adults and adolescents, as well as families affected by the disease of addiction. Caron's programs are gender separate and gender specific . Caron has extensive experience in the treatment of co-occurring psychological/psychiatric disorders within our patient community. Nearly 70 percent of patients treated at Caron have co-occurring disorders.Formerly the Caron Foundation, Caron Treatment Centers operates a residential treatment center in Wernersville, in southeastern Pennsylvania; a regional office in Philadelphia; Renaissance Institute of Palm Beach, an extended care treatment center in Boca Raton, Florida; and recovery centers in New York City and Bermuda. For more information, visit www.caron.org.