So I felt obligated for some reason to explain why I run, why I chose to be Chiropractor, and why I run for organizations like The Steps Foundation.  At the age of 4 I was diagnosed with Leukemia (ALL).  After 3.5 years of treatment and God's Grace I was cancer free and have been since ( I am 28 now).  I have always been grateful that I have grown up with no side effects from any of the treatment.  I have grown up now wanting to give back to many of the people and families that go through Cancer each and every year.   Running is my way of inspiring hope and strength to others.  I like to show that cancer isn't a death sentence, that there is hope.  I also chose to be a Chiropractor because I wanted to help others achieve optimal health and show how amazing God created the human body and how much fuller you can live your life without drugs or surgery.  Finally, I choose to run for organizations like the Steps Foundation because I want to give life and hope that God gave to me all those years ago.  Thank God for people like Ryan and Sara Hall who use their abilities and success to help make the world a better place.  So I hope you enjoyed the story and hope that maybe I have inspired some that might need it.  

 

To your Health and Happiness,

 

Paul Nottoli 

learn more at www.thestepsfoundation.org

 

Who We Are: I (Ryan) will never forget collapsing on my couch after completing my first run (a 15 mile run around the lake in my hometown Big Bear Lake). As I laid there exhausted, God communicated two things to me: first, I would one day run with the best runners in the world, and secondly, that I would do so so that through running I could help others. In 2008, I began to see how running can be used for helping the poor as my wife, Sara, and I partnered with Team World Vision and joined runners to raise money for clean water in Africa. After the 2008 Olympics, it was a life changing experience to visit Zambia and not only see the immense poverty there, but to see the impact we as runners had made. We watched children pumping the bore holes, bringing up fresh, clean water to the community, adding 10 additional years to their lives and allowing them to attend school. I saw firsthand how the small efforts of many could bring life to others.

 

I (Sara) have always had a heart for the poor, ever since I was young, delighting in buying meals for the homeless in my hometown Santa Rosa, CA. This passion grew as I was exposed to global poverty, taking trips to Mexico every spring break in high school and visiting Eastern Africa. Those weeks were my favorite times of the year! I felt very at home in developing countries and knew my life’s work would be to bring hope and life to these areas.

One of our heroes is Mother Theresa. Our favorite Mother Theresa quote is, “We can do no great things, just small things with great love.” Running a marathon can seem like a daunting task, as does ending poverty. But I’ve learned in my marathons that by taking on step after another, suddenly the challenging goal is now behind me. Out of this idea of “Small Steps, great love” emerged The Hall Steps Foundation.

Running changed our lives from the very first run. We believe that we can save lives that otherwise would be lost and alter the trajectory of today’s youth. Ending poverty is a lofty goal, and one person can only bring so much change, but when we all take Steps together, pretty soon the top of the mountain doesn’t look so insurmountable anymore. I challenge you to join us on our marathon journey of using something we love, running, to love others through The Hall Steps Foundation!

What We Do: The goal of the Hall Steps Foundation is to take small steps towards the marathon goal of ending poverty.

Internationally, the money raised through the foundation will go towards Clean Water (through World Vision), fighting Human Trafficking (through International Justice Mission), and funding a home in a Rescue Center in Kenya through Global Children’s Movement. The Hall Steps Foundation both partners with existing charities, and is in the process of creating its own initiatives within the United States. The Hall Steps Foundation has a vision of creating a Mentoring Running Program where volunteer mentors train with at risk youth with the goal of entering a race together. The training time provides the building blocks for a strong mentoring relationship. The Hall Steps Foundation is in the process of fundraising for this program, and hopes to build this initiative into one that other existing running programs can partner with nationwide.

In each of the cities where Ryan runs his marathons, we will be doing some projects to give back to the community.  For Ryan’s 2009 ING New York City Marathon run, STEPS did a school supply drive among running stores in the New York City area for children in the South Bronx.  All supplies went to the World Vision teacher resource center.Additionally, The Hall Steps Foundation will be supporting projects in the cities where Ryan runs his major marathons. This year, a New York Road Runner Foundation Young Runners program will be funded in each of the 5 boroughs of New York City.

 

 

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