On Monday, April 21, 2014 I will once again be running the
Boston Marathon – but this was not a decision I came to easily. This year’s training has been arduous with
sub-freezing temperatures, significant illnesses and a nagging back injury that
has put me out weeks at a time. But after
some rehab and several recent conversations with my trainer, I’ve decided to
give this year’s run from Hopkinton to Boston a go!
At last year's marathon I was able to make it to mile 23 in
Brookline before I had to stop due to the events at the finish line. The organizing
committee offered extra 2014 bib numbers as a second chance to finish the race
on Boylston Street; an iconic moment for anyone who has trained for the Boston
Marathon.The only way you can run the Boston Marathon is either by
qualifying for running for charity. Therefore, I feel tremendously fortunate to
have a bib number this year and I’m using this as a golden opportunity fundraise
towards disease research for something enormously close to my heart and my
family.
Many of you know that my Father has Progressive Muscular
Atrophy, a variation of ALS, aka Lou Gehrig’s disease, which affects the nerve
cells in the brain and spinal cord that control muscle movement. As the
condition progresses, those afflicted lose the ability to voluntarily move
their muscles, talk, and breath on their own.
It affects approximately 5 out of every 100,000 people worldwide. Dad was diagnosed in 2007 and has pushed
through the most intense adversity I have ever seen in my life. As difficult as it has been to watch Dad
battle with this disease, I have been inspired by his perseverance – he motivates
me to be as strong as I can in mind, body and spirit.
Now that I’ve confirmed my decision with my trainer to give
the marathon a go in two weeks (!!), I’ve decided I’m going to make a two-week
sprint to raise as much money as I can in honor of Dad for ALS research. ALS is considered an “orphan disease” because
it affects too few individuals to attract investment by pharmaceutical
companies. ALS TDI is a 501 © (3) nonprofit independent research center focused
on developing therapeutic treatments for ALS. Their preclinical drug discovery
efforts have produced dozens of potential therapeutics to slow and stop ALS.
Unlike last year, I do not have a minimum dollar amount to
raise – therefore, my focus is going to be on spreading the word and having as
many people donate as possible, regardless of amount. I had over 250 people donate to my cause last
year; I’m going to see if I can beat that.
The
minimum donation on the website is $5.00—but I would be
tremendously grateful if you spread this link to
five friends, colleagues or family members and see if they can donate
too. That would be an extra $25
contributing to the research that will help patients like Dad live the best
life that they can.
Thanks for your time, and please pass along your good thoughts
for my back!!
