On November 1, 2026, I will be running the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon as a proud member of Team Brain Aneurysm Foundation. This will be my first marathon, and as I work toward this personal milestone, it was important to me that this challenge represent something bigger than just 26.2 miles.
I am running in honor of my grandmother, Carol Jordan, who survived a life-threatening ruptured brain aneurysm in 2001.
I was shocked to learn that 1 in 50 people in the United States has an unruptured brain aneurysm, and that up to 50% of ruptured aneurysms are fatal (Brain Aneurysm Foundation). Those numbers didn’t truly hit me until I thought about my grandmother.
While working one day, she suddenly experienced a ruptured brain aneurysm. Fortunately, years before this, my grandfather, who was a neuroradiologist, had explained what an aneurysm can feel like. When symptoms struck, she immediately suspected what was happening and was able to get help right away—something that quite literally saved her life.
Thanks to that knowledge and the quick response from my aunt, she was rushed into emergency surgery and then faced a long road to recovery. It’s terrifying to imagine what could have happened if she hadn’t remembered that earlier conversation. I may have never even had the chance to meet my grandmother. Ultimately, that single piece of awareness changed everything for our family.
Today, my grandmother is 82 years old and living life to the fullest. She permanently lost vision in one eye from the aneurysm, yet she continues to live independently and joyfully. She has also bravely battled breast cancer, which speaks to her incredible resilience and strength. She is one of my biggest supporters; always the first to cheer me on in my training and excited to hear about my next run.
Her story showed our family just how powerful awareness can be. Brain aneurysms often occur without warning, and recognizing the signs can make the difference between life and death.
Running the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation is my way of honoring my grandmother’s story. It’s an opportunity to raise awareness, support critical research, and give more families the same fighting chance that we were so unbelievably lucky to have. This race is more than a personal challenge—it’s a way to turn her story into action and help ensure that others can survive and thrive, just as she did.
As part of Team BAF, my goal is to raise $6,000 to support the Brain Aneurysm Foundation’s mission of funding research, spreading awareness, and supporting those affected by brain aneurysms.
If you feel moved to support this cause, any donation—big or small—would mean the world to me.
Thank you for being part of this journey and helping turn every mile of this marathon into something meaningful.
