I’ve started this fundraiser in honor of my mom, María Elena Cuellar, affectionately known as Mami. She bravely faced a year-long battle with ALS before passing in March 2023. This November 3, I’ll be running the 2024 NYC Marathon in her memory. It’s my way of celebrating her strength and spirit, and ensuring her legacy lives on.

Like so many, Mami’s journey in the U.S. started in New York City. She was just 17 when she made her first trip alone from El Salvador, staying with an aunt as she looked for a better future.  Her unwavering courage—from arriving in this country by herself to her fight with ALS—will forever be my source of inspiration. Running through the city that first welcomed her will be especially meaningful as I take on this legendary race in her honor.

Mami’s unconditional love and everything she stood for keep me going. She was so warm and loving—selfless, thoughtful, and kind. Loyal, dependable, and patient, she was the heart of our family, always putting us first. She loved hiking and dancing, and was always up for an adventure, even if her nervous giggles gave her away. She knew how to have a good time and wasn’t afraid to be silly. She was clever, sarcastic, and hilarious—definitely stubborn, but almost always right. Mami tackled life’s challenges with determination and grace. She would always tell us, "todo va a estar bien"—"everything’s going to be okay"—and even on her hardest days, she was the one encouraging me. She was my rock, my best friend, my everything.

To say ALS is devastating doesn’t begin to capture the heartbreak. Watching my mom slowly lose more of herself each day was unbearable. Life without her feels impossible. She deserved so much more, and I carry that weight heavy in my heart every day. So, I run—to keep her memory alive, to honor her incredible bravery and strength, and to carry on her fight.

ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) is the world’s largest research lab solely focused on finding a cure for ALS. Your donations will support their relentless efforts to develop promising treatments and help bring us closer to ending ALS. Please consider helping me make a difference in the fight to end ALS and give hope to families affected by this life-shattering disease. ALS is not incurable; it’s underfunded. Let’s change that together!