Mary's Meals in Memory of Brendan Doherty

Hi, my name is John Doherty, brother of the late Brendan Doherty.

Brendan passed away suddenly on September 15th, 2022. He was 53. For those that never knew him, he was a gentle soul with the most incredible faith. Brendan was a devoted Catholic, and serving the church and community made him incredibly proud and happy. He had incredible faith in God and knew his purpose on Earth and his place in Heaven.

At the prime age of 18, he went to bed with a sore head, and he didn't wake up for a full day. My mother decided to call the doctor, and we were told to take him to the hospital. We were told at the hospital that he had a brain hemorrhage and needed emergency surgery immediately to save his life. Thank God my brother survived, but the after-effects left him with Epilepsy. He persevered without complaint, with horrendous pain and seizures throughout his life. He never gave up. He loved going on famous pilgrimages; his favorite was Medugorje. He was always hoping for a miracle to cure him of his epilepsy and seizures. I think over the years, as I look back, I realize that his belief in God was his miracle.

I'm running the NYC Marathon on November 6th, 2022, in his honor. I surely can endure a few hours of pain and test my endurance for all the pain my brother had to withstand for 35 years. I want to raise money for one of the many charities that are near and dear to my brother's heart- Mary's Meals.

Mary's Meals serves nutritious school meals to children in some of the world's poorest countries. They are a no-frills charity with a simple idea that works: by providing one good meal in a place of learning, children are drawn into the classroom where they can receive an education that could one day free them from poverty.

Thank you so much,

John Doherty