$179,815 / $175,000
Welcome to my ALS TDI team page!
Last year, I ran my first NYC Marathon with ALS TDI. After years of running and fundraising for ALS awareness and research, The ALS Therapy Development Institute offered me the opportunity to run The NYC Marathon. It was truly the experience of a lifetime and the gang at ALS TDI has become like family ever since. I am proud and humbled to have been given this opportunity again.
On Sunday, November 3, I will be running 26.2 miles through the 5 boroughs of New York, many of them in Brooklyn, where I was born and raised, in memory of my mother, my father, and in honor of my courageous sister.
Twelve years ago when I was just 24 years old, my mother, Miriam Cooper, died of ALS after a too short battle with the terrible disease. She was just 58 years old. My mother was a vibrant woman with a bright red head of hair who always had a positive attitude and saw the cup half full even when her life was very difficult.
If that wasn't enough to make me want to fight ALS with everything I have, my fabulous older sister, Devorah Schochet, received that same devastating diagnosis on February 13, 2013. The way that Devorah's muscles are degenerating seems eerily familiar to my family. Devorah is only 45 years old and has four children ages 11-23. She fights her illness every day with a smile, humor, and unbelievable strength and she has been fighting it for over six years! Devorah still manages to inspire countless people and make them laugh through her blog. She is truly my inspiration.
About six years ago I started running and started a team in The Jerusalem Marathon to raise money for the foundation started in my sister's honor shortly after her diagnosis, The Shirat Devorah ALS Foundation. We have since raised over $72,000! Ever since then, running, especially for ALS, has been a big part of my life. Running and raising money for ALS awareness, support, and research has given me a purpose and has made me feel proactive in the fight against ALS.
As I was training for this year’s Jerusalem Marathon, my father, Michael Cooper passed away as well. All through his stay in the hospital and after he died, running has had a real part in helping me cope. I may no longer have 2 parents, but I have 2 feet and I will continue to run to try to help make the world a better place and stop ALS.
So, if you would ask me what I’m running for I’ll tell you that I’m running:
Running in The TCS NYC Marathon gives me the opportunity to combine the great passions of my life, running and fundraising for ALS. It also allows me to continue to be a part of The ALS TDI family, which has become a big part of my life. Your donations fuel their continuous and tireless efforts to advance promising drugs and help END ALS. Please help me by making a donation. Thank You!
