Hi Friends & Family,

This November 5th, I’m running back the TCS New York City Marathon to raise money for Shoe4Africa. I was overwhelmed by all the support I received last year and through your generosity Shoe4Africa is in the beginning stages of building the 1st Children’s Cancer Hospital in sub-Saharan Africa! There is still a way to go to ensure the long-term success of this 152-bed hospital, which is why I’ve committed to running 26.2 again this year.

I’ve been passionate about Shoe4Africa’s mission since I got introduced to the organization’s founder, Toby Tanser shortly after returning from my first trip to Kenya back in 2013. Back then, the goal was to build the 1st Public Children’s General Hospital in sub-Saharan Africa and I had the privilege of assisting Toby with the fundraising efforts during my freshman year of college. The hospital was successfully opened in 2015 and currently treats over 400 in-patients and out-patients per day.

Shoe4Africa’s focus has now shifted to adding a Children’s Cancer Hospital due to the harrowing statistic that 9 out of 10 children are dying when diagnosed with cancer in the region. This population of over 1 billion does not have a single children’s cancer hospital which is why it is imperative this project is successful. Shoe4Africa’s primary fundraising event is the NYC Marathon and I am so honored to once again run for this incredible cause to save lives!

I’d love to ask for your support in any way possible! Please send me your favorite pasta restaurants, a pump-up song to add to my running playlist, or even join me for a training run along the way. If you are in a position to give financially, it would mean the world to me if you supported my fundraising goal of surpassing the $5000 we raised last year. Feel free to share this page with any family or friends who may want to support as well.

Thank you so much for taking the time to consider this cause. I’m beyond blessed with the best support system in the world! Let’s do this!!

Love,
Ali