Longtime BRI supporter Gretchen Schoenstein is taking on a bold challenge: two half-marathons on two coasts in two days, through which she’s aiming to raise $20,000 to advance autoimmune disease research at BRI.
Gretchen has run both the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series in Washington, D.C., and the Shamrock Run in Portland, Oregon, in previous years — but this year, the races are taking place back-to-back on March 16 and 17. Already entered in both races, Gretchen thought she’d need to choose between the two, due to them taking place on opposite sides of the United States.
However, after finding a direct flight from Washington, D.C., to Portland, Oregon, on the evening after the first race, Gretchen saw these back-to-back races as the perfect time to rally people around Autoimmune Awareness Month, which takes place throughout March.
Gretchen herself lives with several autoimmune diseases, which happen when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy parts of the body, like the skin, joints and nervous system.
“I run with the ghost of these diseases. I run for everyone who can’t. I run for everyone who is waiting for a diagnosis or the right treatment and doesn’t yet see that it can get better. I’m motivated by the fact that this isn’t just about me. It’s for everyone who has felt lonely, frustrated and small in the face of a life-changing medical diagnosis,” says Gretchen.
“Every step is a gift, every mile is an accomplishment, and every finish line is a victory.” 🩵
Learn more about Gretchen’s story and upcoming challenge (taking place this weekend!): bit.ly/4ahpZux
#AutoimmuneDisease #Research #Running #RnRDC #ShamrockPDX