Cousin Eddie's Christmas Run 5K

When my daughter Holly was a toddler, she was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), a chronic autoimmune disease with no cure. What followed were years of appointments, medication adjustments, and hard conversations about how to manage her symptoms and give her the fullest life possible. But what defines our story isn’t the diagnosis - it’s who Holly has become.

With the extraordinary care she receives at Boston Children's Hospital, her symptoms - joint inflammation, swelling, pain, and stiffness- are carefully managed so she can focus on being herself: kind, funny, full of life, an anime enthusiast, and someone with a genuinely beautiful singing voice.

Last year, at 16 years old, Holly spent five months in Argentina as an exchange student. Watching her go from nervously boarding that plane to becoming confident, independent, and bilingual is something I will never forget.

That opportunity didn’t happen by chance.

Along the way, her medical team worked tirelessly to find the right treatment plan. When one of the medications she needed required special approval for pediatric use, the hospital advocated on her behalf through a formal tribunal process. Holly and our family contributed, but it was her care team that went to bat for her.

Because of that advocacy and innovation, she was able to manage her condition well enough to live abroad, immerse herself in another culture, and fully embrace being a teenager.

This is what world-class pediatric care looks like, and why I run for Boston Children’s. Every mile I run represents kids like Holly: children whose futures depend on research, access to emerging treatments, and medical teams willing to fight for them.

In 2026, I’ll be running both the Boston Marathon and the Berlin Marathon as part of the Miles for Miracles team. I’ve already met my fundraising commitment for Boston — thank you for helping make that happen. From this point forward, all donations will go toward my Berlin Marathon fundraising effort.

Berlin will be my sixth Abbott World Marathon Major. That milestone is meaningful. But what matters far more is this: with your support, this race will push my lifetime fundraising total past $85,000 for Boston Children’s Hospital and other charities.

Your gift to the hospital’s Every Child Fund helps:

• Provide specialized treatments not available elsewhere

• Fund research aimed at better therapies — and someday, cures

• Support families facing urgent needs during medical crises

• Expand access to essential mental health services

Because of Boston Children’s, Holly is not defined by arthritis. She’s defined by her courage, humor, independence, and her willingness to chase big experiences - even ones that take her halfway around the world.

If you’re able, I would be deeply grateful for your support. Together, we can help more children not just manage their conditions, but live boldly in spite of them.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Chris Ruggio

***There will be an option to make a donation during your registration checkout if you choose to do so.