Hi everyone!
I am very excited to share with you that I am an official member of Team Heart & Stroke for the 2025 TCS NYC Marathon. On November 2nd, I will be running 26.2 miles through all five boroughs of New York City as I represent the American Heart Association. Over the course of the next several months, I will be training for race day and raising money to help support the AHA so they can continue their dedicated work in fighting heart disease and stroke and bringing awareness to cardiovascular health.
The reason I chose to support the American Heart Association is in honor of my father, Nick Manakides. In 2007, our family faced the unexpected event of him undergoing emergency quadruple bypass heart surgery. I will never forget how big of a shock this was to us. Here we were, on family vacation, and one single call from the doctor quickly led to something totally unexpected. For him, there was a lack in any serious symptoms with his heart health, and he was in seemingly great shape. It became very evident to me why heart disease is called the "silent killer" and thankfully, my father defied the odds. Statistics show that heart disease is the No. 1 killer worldwide, and stroke ranks second globally. While my father was incredibly lucky to detect his condition before it was too late, there are many people who are not as fortunate as him.
Heart disease has not only affected my immediate family, but heart disease and stroke have affected the lives of other people I love such as my Uncle Tommy and my late YiaYia. As these life-altering conditions have become more evident in my family's health history, I have made my own health and fitness a serious priority, and running has become a big part of that journey.
The New York City Marathon has been on my bucket-list for quite some time, and it would be a great honor to run and fundraise in tribute to my family and all those whose lives have been affected by heart disease and stroke in some way or another. Also, what better way to honor my dad than to run through the city he was born in?!
I deeply appreciate any donation, and every dollar will be going directly to the American Heart Association. My fundraising goal is $5,000, and as we approach November, I would be grateful for your support!
With gratitude,
Mary Katherine (Manakides) Booth
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
