RUNNING FOR REFUGEES

On September 23, 2018 I am challenging myself to run the Chicago Half Marathon. With that, I wanted to take the opportunity to raise awareness to a cause and organization that is very close to my heart and mind, the Syrian Refugee crisis. With me challenging myself, I wanted challenge my friends, family, and network to help me raise $1,000 for one of the most outstanding, courageous, and admirable organizations out there, the Syrian American Medical Society. 

For over SEVEN years, Syria has been a war zone that has quickly escalated into genocide, resulting in hundreds of thousands of innocent lives lost, many which were women and children. For over SEVEN years, the world has stood by and watched as innocent families and children lost their lives, fled their home country with only the clothes on their backs to endure a never-ending journey to countries that in the end, refuse them. For over SEVEN years I've been asking myself, "Why does no one care?" "Why is no one doing anything?" "Why isn't this being addressed on the news daily?" "Would this be different if it was happening in a non-muslim majority country?" "How is this STILL happening?" When the refugee crisis began, it was bad and quickly escalated to awful. But then the unthinkable happened, and he whose name I refuse to put in here, became the President of the United States (#notmypresident), and I lost a little (okay, a lot) of hope inside. But then I told myself that no matter who our leader is or how bad it gets, we need to be the voice for those who don't have one, or aren't being heard. So that's exactly what this is. This is the voice for those in Raqqa still looking for their family members and may never know if they're dead or still alive. This is the voice for the families that traveled hundreds of miles by foot only to reach makeshift refugee camps in neighboring countries, not knowing when they'll ever return. This is to prove that no matter how big or small you can contribute, it does and it will make a difference. 

Pulled directly from their website, "SAMS is a global medical relief organization that is working on the front lines of crisis relief in Syria and beyond to save lives and alleviate suffering. SAMS proudly provides dignified medical care to every patient in need." I urge you PLEASE to watch this moving and captivating 60 Minutes showing their brave work on the front lines of Syria. Check it out here: https://cbsn.ws/2LutB59

Ghandi said, "Be the Change you wish to see in the world," but ultimately, and sorry, Ghandi, but I'm going with "Create the change you wish to see in the world," and that's exactly what I'm trying to do by raising this money for the Syrian American Medical Society, and I know I speak for every person they help when I tell you, it is so greatly appreciated.