The Friendship Circle is an incredible organization that brings joy, connection, and a true sense of belonging to children and young adults with special needs. Through their programs, teen volunteers build real, lasting friendships with these amazing kids—empowering both sides and uplifting entire families. It's a cause rooted in love, empathy, and community—and it means a lot to me personally. Here’s why. In February 2024, I ran the Central Park Half Marathon in 2 hours and 27 minutes. I was training hard and thought I was just in great shape. But something felt off. That summer, I kept losing weight, felt constantly tired, and lost my appetite.In September 2024, I learned the real reason: I had developed Type 1 diabetes. My A1C was 14.5—dangerously high. Everything changed in an instant. I had to relearn how to eat, move, run—and how to live—with insulin on board. But I didn’t let it stop me. In March 2025, just six months after my diagnosis, I ran the NYC Half Marathon in 1:43:19—a full 44 minutes faster than my pre-diagnosis time. Now, I’m taking on my biggest challenge yet: the full NYC Marathon.I’m running for myself. I’m running for every kid who feels like life handed them a challenge they never asked for. And I’m running for The Friendship Circle because every child deserves friendship, joy, and support. In March, I ran the half as part of a charity team and raised $2,000. Now, I’m going even bigger—I’m aiming to raise $6,000 for this beautiful mission. If this cause speaks to you, I’d be deeply grateful for your support. Every donation makes a difference. Every step matters.
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