Sports and Charity
This year I will be participating to Chicago Marathon 2024, and I decided to dedicate my 26.2 miles to advancing cancer research for children and supporting families, by organizing a fundraiser for Lurie’s Children Hospital.
Who is Lurie’s Children Hospital?
Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago is one of the nation’s top pediatric hospital known for its cutting-edge treatments and compassionate care for children with complex medical conditions. Specializing in areas like cancer, heart conditions, and neurology, the hospital also drives innovative research. Philanthropy plays a key role in supporting life-saving treatments and advancing medical breakthroughs.
Innovative care thanks to your support.
Lurie Children’s Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation appointed Dr. Robert Liem as its new division head and recruited several new experts to enhance patient care. The division leads over 200 clinical trials, including innovative studies in brain tumors, CAR-T therapy, and sickle cell disease. With plans to expand its fellowship program, the division continues training future leaders. Ongoing progress is driven by philanthropic support, which has been crucial in advancing research and patient care initiatives. Learn more…
Why a fundraiser?
Helping others has been a core value instilled in me from a young age, whether through family, my years as a Boy Scout, or my involvement in sports. I’m no stranger to fundraising—back in 2014, I biked across France to raise money for the Orphans of the Firefighters. And on Christmas Day 2020, I baked and distributed hundreds of cookies to the homeless in Chicago. Whenever I see an opportunity to support a meaningful cause, I’m all in.
I am inspired by humanity and strive for a world filled with hope and solidarity, particularly for our youngest friends, that is why this year I decided to help Lurie’s Children Hospital.
My Running Journey
I started running in 2020, during the height of COVID-19. With work shifts and restrictions in place, I found myself thinking, ‘What am I supposed to do with all this free time?’ I couldn’t go out to restaurants or do much of anything. But if you know me, you know I’m not someone who sits around doing nothing. That’s how my running journey began. A few months later, I met Marie Billen through a ‘French-community meetup.’ She’s the founder of the Barrington Run Club and casually ran a marathon in three hours and seven minutes—needless to say, she’s passionate about running. You’ll spot her in many of the photos below. BRC is first a group of friends, I found myself supported and challenged to thrive and become my best self through this amazing group.
CH-Marathon goal
Year after year, I ran inconsistently until 2024, when I set a serious goal: the Chicago Marathon. This challenge pushed me into a disciplined routine, running 5 times a week and covering 40-50 miles with a mix of easy runs, intervals, tempo runs, and long distances. I even planned a trip to the Rocky Mountains to train at high elevation and boost my red blood cell count due to the lower oxygen levels. (Read my adventures in Utah here). My goal is simple: get as close as possible to the 3-hour marathon mark. I’ll push to break that time, but I won’t overestimate my performance or risk injury by overreaching. It’s about enjoying both the journey and the destination.