I've never been much of a runner. In fact, up until 2013, I never worked out much at all, struggling with my weight most of my life. That all changed last year, when I decided to commit to making a change in my health. I joined the Weight Watchers program, and began working out with a personal trainer. I am also pleased to say that I have lost a total of 50 pounds since May of 2013 (and I have been able to maintain that weight for the last six months.)

Starting in January of 2014, I started to focus on running specifically. Over the summer, I ran my first 10k race, but was left wanting to do more. I signed up and trained for the BAA half marathon in October, and I'm proud to say I finished 25 seconds faster than my 1:40 goal!  It was at that time that I decided to pursue a life-long dream of mine: to run in the Boston Marathon.

Growing up in Newton, I have such fond memories of annually watching my brother Joe and all of the other runners by my aunt and uncle's house near Heartbreak Hill. Now, I am extremely excited to see the race from the other side of the ropes in 2015 as part of Team Eye and Ear!

Because family and personal relationships are important to me, I am running for Team Eye and Ear. I and many of my friends and family have been treated at Mass Eye and Ear at one time or another. From providing incredibly personal patient care, to their commitment to research and finding cures, they continue to show why they are the best at everything they do.

Thank you for your support, and please be sure to check out the information below and at www.masseyeandear.org to learn more about this wonderful institution.

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary wrote -

Massachusetts Eye and Ear clinicians and scientists are driven by a mission to find cures for blindness, deafness and diseases of the head and neck. Now united with Schepens Eye Research Institute, Mass. Eye and Ear is the world’s largest vision and hearing research center, developing new treatments and cures through discovery and innovation.

Mass. Eye and Ear is a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital and trains future medical leaders in ophthalmology and otolaryngology, through residency as well as clinical and research fellowships. Internationally acclaimed since its founding in 1824, Mass. Eye and Ear employs full-time, board-certified physicians who offer high-quality and affordable specialty care that ranges from the routine to the very complex.

U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals Survey” has consistently ranked the Mass. Eye and Ear Departments of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology as top five in the nation.

Every dollar raised makes it possible for Mass. Eye and Ear to excel in clinical care, research and medical education. That, in turn, allows us to provide the finest specialty care to every person who comes through our door and to share our knowledge in order to help patients around the world.

Thank you for your support.