This year, I’m running the Chicago Marathon in honor of my dad, Mike Lavelle, and to raise awareness for ALS—a disease that takes so much and leaves so little.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly destroys the ability to move, speak, swallow, and breathe. The life expectancy of a person with ALS is on average 2-5 years from the time of diagnosis. My dad passed away in November 2023, just short of two years after his diagnosis. Currently, there is no known cure for ALS.

Witnessing the disease progression was heartbreaking, but through it all, my dad showed incredible strength, humor, and resilience. His courage continues to inspire me every day, motivating me to take on my first marathon.

I will be raising funds for ALS United Greater Chicago. This organization provides critical support and resources to patients and families free of charge, funds global research, and so much more. Their mission is about supporting this community, raising awareness, and continuing to urgently push for more treatment options and a cure.

Your support means the world to me. This is more than just a marathon—it’s a way to honor my dad’s legacy, find meaning in his death, support other families who have been impacted by ALS, and have hope for the future.

So that one day an ALS diagnosis is not a terminal one.

With gratitude,

Meghan