Why I Run: Running a Marathon in Dad's Honor

Thanks so much for deciding to learn more about our story and our desire to help caretakers of patients in the Birmingham area with lodging needs as well as raise awareness for the importance of becoming an organ donor.

In 2017, my dad was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. After months of diet and other lifestyle changes, his condition worsened, and he was admitted to a local hospital in Mobile. He was transferred to UAB to be evaluated for a liver transplant in the middle of the night in late May 2018.

Dad's condition improved while at UAB, he stabilized, and the transplant team began to evaluate him for the possibility of a liver transplant. Unfortunately, dad later lost his battle, but our war on liver disease had just begun...

This year, I am running the Birmingham Mercedes Benz Marathon on February 10 in honor of my dad. By running 26.2 miles I hope to achieve three goals:

Our Goals

1. Raise Funds for Red Mountain Grace

Thousands of families come to the Birmingham, AL area to UAB Hospital for treatment every day. When we were caring for my dad, we fully realized how difficult it is to find reasonably priced lodging. Like so many other families, we had to spend hundreds of dollars on pricey hotel rooms. There were days where we would check out of our hotel, put our things in the car in the UAB parking deck, and figure out where we were going to stay that night at some other point during the day. Needless to say, this was a huge burden to us while taking care of dad. 

Fortunately, Red Mountain Grace stepped in and offered us a reasonably priced apartment that took a huge load off our shoulders. When Debbie called to let us know that they had an apartment for us, we weren't sure how to feel -- it was SUCH a huge relief. We weren't going to have to pay $200/night for a hotel anymore! Being able to stay in a comfortable place that had been prayed for and kept up so well allowed us to focus on the most important thing: dad's care.

Through this campaign, we want to raise funds for Red Mountain Grace,  a not-for-profit organization dedicated as a place of refuge for out-of-town patients and caregivers that are receiving extended medical treatment in the "Steel City." What Red Mountain Grace did for us in our worst time of need is immeasurable, offering personal support, prayer, a comfortable place to stay near UAB Hospital, and so much more.

You can learn more about Red Mountain Grace here .

2. Raise Awareness for Organ Donation

Individuals in need of organ donation go months on the waiting list. Right now, over 115,000 women, men, and children are awaiting life saving organ transplants. Becoming an organ donor costs nothing and takes just minutes.

Before dad's illness, I hadn't realized how big of a need there was for organ donations. There is a complex process of matching donors to recipients. Liver disease patients are ranked according to something called a "MELD" score. Doctors at UAB said dad was in such a critical need that he would have been placed at the top of the nationwide list upon completing his pre-transplant evaluations.

Let us know you've committed to be a donor in the comment section!

Learn more about the benefits of organ donation and pledge to be an organ donor here . You can also learn more about the complex organ matching system, administered through the United Network of Organ Sharing here .

3. Have fun!

Running a marathon is definitely a challenge, but I look forward to the facing the battle head on and setting a new personal best time! I have run a marathon before, Chicago Marathon in 2014. My previous time was 4:57, and this year I am looking forward to breaking the four hour mark!

Thanks again for learning more and for your support of our cause! Please use the social sharing buttons below to spread the word!