Why I Run

On November 5th, 2023, I will be running the 2023 New York City Marathon with Team Kidney Moves which supports the National Kidney Foundation. I have chosen to support the National Kidney Foundation because of their work with kidney health research, treatments for kidney diseases, and transplantation which my dad benefitted from over 15 years ago.
 

For those of you who haven't heard the story before, my dad suffered from IgA Nephropathy (IgAN), a rare kidney disease that causes inflammation and, over time, loss of kidney function and eventually failure. There is no cure for the disease, and many of those who suffer end up on dialysis while waiting for years on kidney transplant lists. Fortunately for my dad, he was on the kidney transplant list for just 12 days before receiving a life-changing call that a perfect match had been identified. On his 55th birthday, and down to just 10 percent function in his kidneys, my dad received a kidney transplant that allowed him to feel healthy again and continue his passions of skiing, being out on the water, and raising me and my brother.
 

Following my dad's successful transplant, my parents supported the larger rare kidney disease community by raising money to participate in Kidney Walks in the Boston area. I specifically remember being dragged to a couple of these in middle school, but now I'd like to give back in a larger way by raising money and running for the National Kidney Foundation.
 

The National Kidney Foundation was established over 70 years ago and was the first to identify kidney disease as a distinct, treatable illness. They developed the staged system of kidney disease diagnosis and treatment – a worldwide standard today – and release and update treatment guidelines to improve patient care. Today, the National Kidney Foundation is revolutionizing the fight to save lives by eliminating preventable kidney disease, accelerating innovation for the dignity of the patient experience, and dismantling structural inequities in kidney care, dialysis, and transplantation.
 

Please consider making a donation to my fundraising page to support my running and fundraising goals and if you are in NYC on November 5th, please come out and support, my parents will be there and I'm going to need all the help I can get!
 

Thank you in advance for your donations however big or small, I really appreciate it!
 

- Mike