Thousands of athletes from across the globe gather annually in New York City for the TCS NYC Marathon. This year, the world-renown marathon takes place on Sunday, November 5th and we are proud to announce that 40 runners from around our area, and around the country, will be participating in the NYC Marathon on behalf of the American Heart Association. It is our honor to highlight these runners/fundraisers who comprise Team Heart & Stroke, because they embody the best values that our organization represents.
Jessica Alves, Brooklyn, NY
Occupation: NYU Langone – Brooklyn Hospital, Speech-Language Pathologist
What’s your why?
“After almost losing my dad in 2010 from a because of heart disease, complicated by bacterial endocarditis, needing multiple valve replacements, all while septic in the ICU, I had never thought twice about how prevalent heart disease truly is. While I am beyond beyond blessed to still have my dad, his battle with heart disease is still not over, and he is alongside the thousands of American affected by heart disease.”
Kaitlyn Kinsey, Washington, DC
Occupation: Communications Associate, Reingold, Inc.
Hobbies: Running, boxing, dancing, cooking, cheering for the Philadelphia Eagles (from miles away in Washington, D.C.), finding the best breakfast hash, and live music.
What’s your why?
“Familial hypercholesterolemia runs in my family and has caused both my grandmother and mother to undergo bypass heart surgery. By staying active and sharing heart healthy recipes with my mother and sister I strive to maintain a healthy, happy lifestyle to reach my personal and professional goals.”
Luvi-Anne Tien, Bethesda, MD
Occupation: D.C. Surgical Arts/Proud wife to co-owner
Hobbies: Reading (mostly fiction with the occasional travel book or biography thrown in); dancing (usually when I am attempting to clean the house or do laundry); running ; yoga; travelling the world and eating as many local delicacies as my stomach can handle.
What’s your why?
“I received a phone call that changed my world. My dad was in the ICU. He had suffered a stroke and passed away before my plane landed. I remember sitting in the airport feeling utterly empty. I never realized how much my sense of security was rooted in my dad until he was no longer there. This year, I will be running for my dad, Luvimin Alonso Singco, and my grandmother, Jesusa Yap Galvez. I will also be running for me.”
Meghan McCarthy, Boston, MA
Occupation: Boston University, Assistant Director, BU Housing
Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, playing squash, unofficial restaurant guide for the Boston area, and as of late…running, a lot of running.
What’s your why?
“I would like to think that we never reach our full potential because we keep growing and developing. Thus, I want to live a longer, healthier life for the opportunity to better engage my community and future generations to see what can be accomplished and what we can give back. Seeing first-hand how short and fragile life can be, bolsters my drive to take a more dedicated approach in living a healthy life-style to live a longer and more fulling life.”
Kristine McConnell, East Rockaway, NY
Occupation: Cullen and Dykman LLP, Legal Assistant
Hobbies: Running, volleyball, reading, beach.
What’s your why?
” My why is my kids. I live every day for them and have put my heart and soul into being a good mom. I would hate for our time to be cut short because of reasons I can control such as my health. One thing I know that I can do is be active and healthy and hopefully prolong my life and the time I have with my kids. I want to see them get married, have children of their own and be their support systems as they go through life as my parents were and are for me. Unfortunately I lost my Dad 4 years ago to this disease so our time was cut short and if I can do anything to prevent that from happening to other people or myself with my kids, I will do what I can.”