"Sometimes, real superheroes live in the hearts of small children fighting big battles" 

Due to the cancellation of the 2020 New York City Marathon I will be running this year's 2023 New York City Marathon in honor of my goddaughter Nora and all children fighting congenital heart disease. 

Nora was born in October 2017 with a severe congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. This means the left side of her heart never developed and she lives with only half of a heart. Children born with HLHS need a series of 3 open heart surgeries in early childhood to survive and are expected to require a heart transplant later in life.

Since day one, Nora has fought big battles and will do so the rest of her life. Despite these hardships, Nora has always been the toughest, sassiest, and most loving little girl we were ever so lucky to know. She was born a fighter and amazes our family every day and is ready to take on her next big adventure, starting Kindergarten this Fall. 

Congenital heart disease is a lifelong, chronic diagnosis and the rollercoaster of this journey is a challenge for the entire family. The Children’s Heart Foundation provides hope for these families by funding the medical research so desperately needed to give these children a chance at a longer, healthier life. It is continued funding and research that will get us closer to a cure for congenital heart disease.

It is truly an honor to run my first New York City Marathon for this amazing foundation and for my amazing goddaughter Nora Grace. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making a donation.

Kristen