My name is Alem Hadzic, and I am a Bosnian American pre-med student at Middlebury College in Vermont and a member of the Men’s Soccer team. My parents came to the United States from Bosnia and Herzegovina after the war ended in 1995, bringing with them resilience, hope, and a deep sense of identity. Growing up, I have maintained this lasting connection to Bosnia and Herzegovina. That connection has always come with a responsibility, which is a need to give back to the communities that shaped my family’s story. Over the past year, I began combining my passion for running with humanitarian work, raising funds to support organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina through running and the GoFundMe platform. After witnessing the impact that collective support can create, I knew this effort could grow into something even more special.

I am proud to share that I have formed a partnership with Udruženje Srce za djecu oboljelu od raka to build upon that previous success. Together, we have agreed on a new project. On March 21, I will run the Mostar Half Marathon in Bosnia and Herzegovina while fundraising to raise as much support as possible for children fighting cancer and their families. Udruženje Srce za djecu oboljelu od raka is a humanitarian organization that provides comprehensive support to children diagnosed with cancer across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their work extends far beyond medical treatment, as they provide accommodation for families, psychological counseling, financial assistance, educational programs, and long-term support for these children. As many people know, childhood cancer diagnosis affects an entire family emotionally, financially, and mentally. Srce za djecu works tirelessly every day to ensure that no child or parent faces that journey alone.

Now, I am asking you to be part of this mission.

Please consider making a donation to my GoFundMe campaign to support Srce za djecu’s work and strengthen their ability to stand beside these children and their families during the most difficult chapter of their lives. Any contribution, no matter the size, truly means a lot to us. If you are unable to donate, sharing this campaign with members of your community can make a powerful difference. The more this story spreads, the greater impact we can create together.

I will be sharing my full journey including training, preparation, travel to Mostar, and race day through GoFundMe updates, Instagram (@alemm.mh), and TikTok (@alem.hadzic). I look forward to bringing people together across borders and identities for this project and making a meaningful difference for children and families in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Together, let's aim to raise $13,100 by the end of this month to symbolize the 13.1 miles I will run in Mostar for these children.