My brother and I are running the 2026 New York City Marathon and training for our first Ironman 70.3 in support of ALS research and awareness for my childhood best friend’s father, who is currently battling ALS.

Although life has taken us in different directions over the years, their family was a huge part of our childhood, and seeing someone who meant so much to us growing up face this disease has deeply impacted us.

Before this experience, ALS was something we had heard about but never truly understood. Watching how it affects not only the person diagnosed, but also the entire family emotionally, physically, and financially, completely changed our perspective on health, resilience, and the things many of us take for granted every day.

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that slowly takes away a person’s ability to move, speak, eat, and eventually breathe independently. While there is currently no cure, continued research, support, and awareness can help improve patient care, support families, and move us closer toward better treatments and ultimately a cure.

As we prepare for both our first Ironman 70.3 and the New York City Marathon, endurance training has taken on a completely different meaning for us. Long runs, difficult workouts, early mornings, and exhausting training sessions have become constant reminders of how fortunate we are to be able to move our bodies and challenge ourselves physically.

This journey has taught us to appreciate the things we can control, stop taking health for granted, and use our abilities to support people who no longer have that same freedom.

Thank you so much for supporting us, supporting ALS families, and being part of this journey with us. Every donation, message, and share truly means more than we can express.

Together, We End ALS!