Greetings Friends and Family—
This past year has been one of reflection, resilience, and growth. Running continues to be the anchor that keeps me steady, strong, and grateful. In 2024, I completed the NYC Marathon; in April 2025, I crossed the finish line in London; and this past September, I achieved something deeply meaningful—I completed the Berlin Marathon, my third Abbott World Marathon Major. What once felt impossible is now becoming real: I am steadily moving toward my dream of completing all six iconic races.
As many of you know, I didn’t grow up with much stability. Safety, mentorship, and opportunity were things I rarely had as a child. I came from an underserved community, and for a long time, I didn’t have the guidance or support that so many young people need to thrive. Running has become a thing where I have learned discipline, hope, and self‑belief—lessons I had to teach myself the hard way.
That’s why my next marathon means so much.
On October 11, 2026, I will be running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on behalf of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, an organization that provides essential services to children and teens in underserved communities—communities like the one I grew up in. The Boys & Girls Clubs offer young people a safe place to learn, grow, and be supported. They provide mentorship, stability, and opportunity to kids who deserve every chance to succeed. These are the very things I longed for as a child, and the very things that can change the trajectory of a young person’s life.
Running has carried me through 24 years of living with HIV, through sobriety, through setbacks, and through triumphs. It has taught me that transformation is possible, mile by mile. Now, I want to use that transformation to give back—to help raise crucial funds and awareness for young people who need a safe place to land and a community that believes in them.
Completing Berlin reminded me how far I’ve come. Running Chicago for the Boys & Girls Clubs reminds me why I keep going.
I would be deeply grateful for your support—whether through a donation, sharing my fundraising page, or simply cheering me on. Together, we can help create the kind of future every child deserves.
Thank you for being part of this journey. One mile, one marathon, one young life at a time—we can make a difference.
—Michael