Why I Run
Running has been an important part of my life for a long time: an outlet, a way to push myself, and a way to connect with others. Now I get the chance to run for a purpose, for more than just myself. 

My dad lived with chronic kidney disease for decades, and in January 2026, he received a kidney transplant. That donor kidney changed his life and my entire family’s life. 

The process of waiting for, receiving and recovering from a kidney transplant is a marathon in and of itself. Running for Team Kidney, a foundation that supports patients and families throughout that journey is an honor. As someone who has run multiple marathons and even led a college running club, I love the community that running creates as we work towards a shared goal. This opportunity allows me to channel that same sense of community into a cause that is deeply personal for myself and many others in the world.

Every mile I run in this training cycle and race is for my dad, for the donor and medical team that made his transplant possible, and for the many others still waiting for that same chance.