WUN Trailblazers Raise Funds and Awareness in Boston Marathon 2011
For the second year in a row, narcolepsy was well represented in the Boston Marathon. This year, three runners ran with Wake Up Narcolepsy – raising $29,000 towards funding vital narcolepsy research!
For one WUN runner, John, this was his first marathon. John was inspired to run by his nephew’s experience with narcolepsy. In the past, John had run many 5ks, a couple 10ks and one Half-Marathon. Taking on Boston was no small feat – but he trained hard and it all paid off on race day.
 |
| Kim & Monica – All Smiles Before Running 26.2 Miles! |
For the two other WUN runners, Monica and Kim – this was also a monumental day. Both women are mothers of children with narcolepsy. Cheered on by friends and family, both women finished the marathon in well under 4 hours!
The runners wore matching gear – with green shirts proudly reading “Wake Up Narcolepsy” across their backs. The WUN shirts were eye-catching, which helped raise awareness.
During the race, a young woman approached WUN’s Monica.
“I like your shirt!” the woman exclaimed.
“Thank you.” Monica responded.
“I have narcolepsy,” the woman said before disappearing into a crowd.
Monica didn’t see the woman again, yet it is moments like this that make a difference. Narcolepsy representation in a high-profile athletic event like the Boston Marathon is a proud day.
It is truly extraordinary what these individuals have accomplished. Although they do not have narcolepsy themselves, they are determined to help others.
One of the WUN runners said it best:
“It’s an honor to be able to help out in any way I can,” John describes, “I don’t see it as a big deal because I know if the situation were reversed that they would do the same. I see this as our way of helping out a family member in need and that is the way we were raised.“
From the greater narcolepsy “family” – I’d like to extend a big thank you and congratulations to the WUN Boston Marathon 2011 team.
Lastly, I’d like to share an AWESOME news-clip interview of WUN runner Kim: Watch here!
 |
| http://andover.patch.com/articles/video-marathon-mom-runs-for-her-son#video-5634838 |
Funds raised by WUN’s 2010 marathon team are currently funding high-priority narcolepsy research at prestigious centers for narcolepsy in America. For more information and to support WUN’s 2011 Marathon Team, please visit: www.wakeupnarcolepsy.org.
What an excellent news video! She really understands narcolepsy – inspirational to see this kind of determination to raise awareness about narcolepsy.