I know, I know–last year I announced that running the 2024 NYC Marathon would be the culmination of my distance running career. To be fair, I also mentioned that I had said that other marathons would be my last, and…well…there I was, and here we are.

When I registered for the 2024 NYC Marathon in March of last year, I was in the thick of being the Power of Attorney for my father, who had Alzheimer’s and a terrible temper. I was traveling back and forth to Las Vegas almost every week and I desperately needed a race to train for to provide some structure while the rest of my life felt entirely out of my control. In an interesting turn of events, my father passed away mid-training cycle, my grandmother followed suit a couple months after him, and then my father-in-law (Jerry) was diagnosed with leukemia (an unfortunate side effect from lymphoma treatment earlier that year).

My father-in-law has access to the best doctors and treatment the US has to offer. He was immediately admitted to a clinical trial for what I can only describe as a miracle drug combination, and despite the long drives down to Miami and a couple extended hospital stays along the way, we are feeling optimistic about his prognosis.

But many kids in Africa aren’t so fortunate when they receive a cancer diagnosis. In fact, 9 in 10 kids diagnosed with cancer in Kenya don’t survive, because they don’t have access to appropriate treatment and care.

This is why I run for the Shoe4Africa team. The funds I’m raising here are to help construct the first pediatric cancer hospital in sub-Saharan Africa. Your donation is directly going to help save lives!

I am running the 2025 Berlin Marathon six weeks before this race (September 21st and November 2nd respectively), so my training plan is starting sooner than last year and I’ll be putting in quite a few more miles before I get to the start line in Staten Island. I’ve got my new shoes broken in and already have a few additional Central Park runs under my belt. Training officially begins the first week of April!

This race last year was truly one of the happiest days of my life, so please help support my ridiculous running habit by monetarily supporting this incredible cause! Every dollar helps, and your generosity is greatly appreciated by me, Shoe4Africa, and hundreds of families in sub-Saharan Africa who will soon benefit from this new hospital!