My mom has always been the heart of our family. She once had her dream job as a wine saleswoman, but gave it up to care for us — her kids. Both of my brothers are on the autism spectrum, and I live with Tourette’s. Through every challenge, she put us first. She’s always been there for me, always supportive, and always ready to sacrifice her own dreams to make sure we were okay.

She has the biggest heart of anyone I know. She never quits, no matter how hard life gets. And because of her, I’ve learned to never quit too.

Caring for her now that dementia has changed her life is both incredibly difficult and incredibly meaningful. There’s stress, exhaustion, and heartbreak — but also joy in seeing her progress, in making her smile, and in knowing that she feels supported and loved by us.

This race isn’t just a run for me. It’s a way to honor my mom’s strength, her love, and her unbreakable spirit. I’m working tirelessly toward this goal because she never quit on us — and I won’t quit on her.

Thank you for reading our story, and thank you for supporting a cause that means so much to me and my family. Every step I take on race day will be for my mom.