I am thrilled to be representing Team LiveOnNY at this year's TCS New York City Marathon!

I have decided to run on behalf of LiveOnNY to honor a simple but extraordinary truth: every transplant represents a bridge between loss and life. As a transplant pulmonologist at NYU Langone Health, I am constantly inspired by my patients and my colleagues — by their courage, their dedication, and their relentless hope. But most of all, I am inspired by our organ donors. Simply put, organ donors are heroes.

I once had a patient in clinic tell me that, since receiving her lung transplant four months ago, she now loves bright neon colors and floral prints. She believes this to be true because her organ donor probably also loved bright neon colors and floral prints. And although I am quite certain there isn’t robust scientist evidence to support this claim, I think she's on to something: our patients feel extremely grateful for and connected to their donors.

Those connections — seen and unseen — are what give meaning to my work. Donors and their families make the most profound gift possible: the gift of more birthdays, more sunsets, more ordinary mornings and miraculous recoveries. To the families who have said yes in grief and love, we owe deep gratitude and commitment to honor that choice with the best care and compassion.

Every donation that I receive serves as an important reminder: one decision can indeed change countless lives. I ask for your support as I work towards my fundraising goal. More importantly, I encourage you to register as an organ donor, to support transplant families, and to celebrate the courage behind each and every donation. Together, we can turn loss into life, and grief into hope.

Here's how you can help:

• Donate: Contribute whatever you can. No amount is too small!
• Spread the Word: Share my fundraising page with your friends, family, and social networks. Let’s spread awareness so we can raise more!

Thank you for standing by me in this effort. Your support means the world to me!