I’d be honored if you would support my journey as I run the New York City Marathon to raise awareness and funds for sarcoidosis—a disease that forever changed my children’s lives. Their father, Gene, spent more than a year seeking answers for persistent chest pain, visiting doctors without receiving a diagnosis. It was not until after he passed that he was diagnosed. He passed away unexpectedly at just 53 years old, leaving behind four children who lost their father far too soon. I can’t help but wonder if greater awareness and earlier recognition of sarcoidosis could have changed his story. Through every mile I run, I hope to shine a light on this often-overlooked disease so that other families don’t have to experience the same heartbreaking loss. Thank you for helping me protect other families from this devastating disease.

This year, I will be supporting Team Rally for Sarc runners who have been selected to represent the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) at the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on November 1st, 2026! I am so proud to support them by being selected as a member of Team Rally for Sarc. On November 1st, Team Rally for Sarc runners will be running 26.2 miles to raise awareness for sarcoidosis, help support those impacted by sarcoidosis, and help bring us closer to a cure. 

Sarcoidosis impacts approximately 1.2 million people worldwide and 200,000 in the U.S. People living with sarcoidosis wake up each day and face the challenges of living with a rare disease including the symptoms and side effects like overwhelming fatigue, trouble breathing, chest pain, headaches, joint pain, skin lesions and rashes, an overall feeling of sickness, along with other physical and mental symptoms that patients experience living with sarcoidosis. Currently, there is no known cause and limited treatment options and most importantly for my family, there is limited awareness in the medical field.  

I hope you will consider supporting Team Rally for Sarc this year by making a financial contribution to my page. Your donation, of any amount, will not only help Team Rally for Sarc achieve their goals, but will help make more patient support, and one day, a cure for sarcoidosis possible. 

Thank you for helping me protect other families from this devastating disease.

Click here for more information on sarcoidosis and the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research.

Liza