This November, I’ll be running the NYC Marathon alongside my twin brother Benjamin for the second year in a row. We’re running on behalf of someone we love deeply: our mom. Our mom has Lynch syndrome, a rare genetic condition that dramatically increases the risk of certain cancers. She’s survived a brain tumor, breast cancer, and colon cancer. And yet she remains the strongest, funniest, and most generous person I know. We are unbelievably lucky that she’s still here with us. We’re running for NORD, the National Organization for Rare Disorders, to honor her resilience and support the millions of families impacted by rare diseases. NORD funds life-changing research, advocacy, and patient care, and they provide hope when hope is in short supply. This run is our way of giving back, of carrying some of the weight, of showing up the way our mom always has. In 2024, Benjamin ran the NYC Marathon and I cheered him on from the sidelines. It was the most electric, heart-opening day I’ve ever experienced in New York. The whole city felt like one big family. I cried watching strangers hand out water, shout words of encouragement, bang drums and hold up funny signs. I knew I had to be part of it—not just to cheer, but to run. I decided I would run with him in 2025. I’m not a runner. Or at least I didn’t think I was. But I. pushed myself to do the NYC Half, and then I did the full. It was the most magical day of my life. And this year, we are pushing ourselves even harder, to raise more money, and to get more of our community involved, because it’s not just for us. It’s for our mom. It’s for every rare disease patient and family. It’s for love. I hope you’ll consider donating to NORD in support of our run. Every step, every mile, every dollar adds up to more awareness, more support, and more lives saved. Thank you for reading, thank you for caring, and thank you for cheering us on. With love, Samantha