Hello everyone! My name is Tina Brindisi and this June I will be running a marathon in Lake Placid with my college roommate/teammate, Rachel VanDerlofske.

I will be running to honor the lives of my dear friends, Kyle Jaskot and Kurt Schmitz. In 2014, about a month and a half apart, Kyle and Kurt (both at the age of 22) suddenly and tragically passed away.

With the funds donated, I will be splitting them equally between the NJ Sharing Network for Kyle and The Concussion Legacy Foundation for Kurt.

The NJ Sharing Network is an organization whose mission is to increase the number of possible transplants and ultimately help to save more lives by raising awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation. There are nearly 4,000 NJ residents today who are waiting for life-saving transplants. Following Kyle's accident, he left this world giving the greatest gift to 4 people, the gift of life.

Leading up to Kurt's passing, he was a lineman at the University of Richmond and hid multiple concussions to keep his roster spot. Kurt suffered through the final years of his life before passing away from a heart condition. The Concussion Legacy is a nonprofit organization that raises money to support athletes and veterans affected by concussions and CTE to help promote safer sports and to educate to prevent and end CTE.

I am reminded every day how many lives Kurt and Kyle impacted during their short time here on Earth. Kurt and Kyle truly touched the lives of everyone who knew them. Their stories can still impact and save so many more lives today. Please consider donating to help do so.

Thank you so much for your support! Never forget KJ and KS <3