On November 4th I will be running the New York City Marathon. This landmark event has been a dream of mine since I fell in love with running many years ago and I can not wait to see it through to completion. However, I am not only running for myself and to fulfill a life-long goal but to also support the National Marfan Foundation.

 

The National Marfan Foundation supports those with Marfan Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that affects the entire body, and their families and friends. My connection to this organization, and to this rare disease is through my boyfriend—Micah. To the unknowing eye, Micah appears as an average person; living a normal, comfortable life. This is far from the truth. His condition affects nearly every aspect of his health and has caused him to undergo major heart surgery—three times.

 

Micah owes his health and his life to a physician who had heard about this rare condition and identified his disease at an early age. For years, the National Marfan Foundation has funded awareness programs such as the one that educated Micah’s doctor and changed his life forever.

 

I’m combining this personal athletic triumph with the National Marfan Foundation’s mission to spread awareness to help educate medical professionals and to fund research. Please join me and pledge your support to this noble cause.

 

Thank you,

Stephanie Begley

 

For more information about the National Marfan Foundation, please visit their website at http://www.marfan.org.