My Story…
I run in honor of my daughter who ran the race in 2023, the summer before her senior year of high school. She was so excited after the race that she wanted to start training for a full marathon. Life was busy so we discussed maybe the following summer would work. She was already signed up to bike 50 miles for Alzheimer's that fall and after school started she began her final varsity hockey season at Shakopee High School. The day after Christmas she was a passenger in a vehicle that collided with another. After a 21 day fight, she passed away. Always selfless, she had signed up to be an organ donor and we honored her wishes. She was my adventurer and I run in memory of her. This is definitely out of my comfort zone and I know my daughter Mikayla would be/is pushing me to do this.
I also run in honor of my late uncle John who passed away from Hydrocephalus in 2013. It is a frustrating ailment that ended his life too soon. While John had an adventurous streak as well, running a half marathon was not even close to his bucket list of adventures. John was a constant supporter of his nieces and nephews who often became his travel companions when he wanted travel. While he would love the idea of his nephew trying something new outside his comfort zone - he would belly laugh at the idea of this nephew running a half marathon.
Description
Founded in 1983 by the parents of children with hydrocephalus, the Hydrocephalus Association (HA) is the nation’s largest and most widely respected organization dedicated to hydrocephalus.
Hydrocephalus can affect anyone, at any age. This life-altering and potentially life-threatening condition occurs when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up abnormally, putting pressure on the brain. The most common treatment is brain surgery to implant a shunt, a device that helps drain excess fluid. However, shunts are not a cure—they frequently fail, often requiring multiple brain surgeries over a patient’s lifetime, sometimes more than 100.
You can make a difference. I am training for and running the 50th Anniversary Grandma's Marathon to support the Hydrocephalus Association (HA), the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to funding critical research, raising awareness, and providing support for the over 1 million people in the U.S. living with hydrocephalus. Your donation to my fundraiser will not only fuel my journey but also help HA advance its mission to improve lives and find a cure.
Together, we can bring hope to those affected and drive progress toward better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
Recent donors
| Donation date | Donor name | Donation amount |
|---|---|---|
| May 26 | Anonymous | Undisclosed amount |
| May 25 | Hillary McCarvel | $799.60 |
