Running the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half with Team ALS in memory of my dad.

My dad passed away from ALS when I was 12 years old. Nothing has ever been more difficult than standing beside him as the disease slowly took away his physical independence- everything from walking, to speaking, to breathing.

That experience profoundly shaped how I view my own life and mobility. I never take movement for granted. I cherish every step I take and every mile I run, knowing just how fragile those abilities can be.

Whenever I find myself feeling complacent, a story my dad once told me comes to mind. He found himself in second place during a race, and instead of pushing for first, he chose to stay where he was. Looking back, he realized he could have pushed himself further, maybe even won, and he regretted not trying.

Running with Team ALS is my way of taking that step for first place. It’s my decision to do something meaningful with the gifts I have.

Today, I run for those who can’t. By channeling my strength into this mission, I hope to support the research, care, and advocacy efforts that are essential to finding better treatments, and ultimately, a cure for ALS.

• Every ninety minutes, someone is diagnosed with the disease, and someone passes away from it.
• 90% of ALS cases occur without any known family history or genetic cause. The remaining 10% of ALS cases are inherited through a mutated gene with a known connection to the disease.
• 55 is the average age of onset with most people who develop ALS between the ages of 40 and 70. However, cases of the disease do occur in people in their twenties and thirties.
• ALS is 20% more common in men than women. However, with increasing age, the incidence of ALS is more equal between men and women.
• Military veterans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with the disease than the general public for yet unknown reasons.