On October 11, I will be participating in the Long Beach Island 18 Mile Run. Completing this race has long been a personal goal of mine, and I can't think of a better way to mark it than to raise funds and awareness for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation in memory of my father, Richard Leister, and my uncle, David Leister, both of whom my family and I have lost to pulmonary fibrosis. My goal is to raise $5600 in honor of my father's badge number: 56, a lucky number of sorts for my family. I miss my dad and Uncle Dave every day and hope this fundraiser will help contribute to a world where fewer families have to endure losing a loved one to this disease.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition that causes lung tissue to become thickened, stiff, and scarred. The lungs eventually lose their ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream, making everyday activities such as breathing and walking extremely difficult. It is a progressive disease, which means it tends to worsen over time. Every individual diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis has a unique experience with the disease, and there is no “standard” or expected clinical course. With no known cure, the disease is often fatal within three to five years of diagnosis. Over 250,000 Americans are living with PF today. Approximately 50,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.

Whether your donation is 18 cents or 56 dollars, please know how much it means to me and my family that you are contributing at all. Thank you for reading and for your contribution.