On February 8th, 2016, my father and best friend, passed away from a heart attack at the age of 46. A heavy reminder to me and my family, that everyone's time on this earth is limited and precious. For years - due to his own stubbornness, to be frank - pushed away heart and health problems, until he could no more, being hospitalized for high blood pressure and congestive heart failure, leading to diagnosis of heart disease a few years before his death. While he battled constantly to become a healthier and stronger individual, he collapsed suddenly to his death during my younger brother's basketball practice. This October, I am running the Chicago Marathon in his memory, and in hope to help brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, and sons and daughters avoid experiencing a loss to heart attack and heart disease in the way that my family did.

My dad was the light of my brother's, sister's, and my world - one of the most selfless men on the face of this earth. I would be remiss to say that I would be lucky to have half of the empathy and selflessness that he encompassed. Brian, known to many as "Coach Somers", was dedicated to uplifting those around him at the sacrifice of his own self-interest (and in many ways his own physical health) through creating a culture of self-discipline, compassion for others, and never letting failure define you. Whether it was early morning or late night practices and lifts, long weeks and weekends of baseball and basketball across the Midwest, or making sure that he was the one to drop my sister off at school every single morning, he was always there for his family.

Losing my father was one of, if not the, hardest thing I've ever endured in my life. I will always miss his laugh, the way he could light up a room, and the way he always uplifted friends, family, and strangers, even if it wasn't in his best interest.

As of today, one in every three deaths is related to cardiovascular disease - the leading cause of death in the United States, with most cases being preventable. The American Heart Association funds critical research, education, and preventative programs that saves the lives of many every single day.

If you feel so compelled, please join me in helping others never to experience the pain that I have had to endure. Any donation, big or small, helps fund lifesaving research that leads to a world with fewer sudden goodbyes.

Running this marathon will be no small feat, but in the words of Brian Somers, I will do so "as hard as I can".

Thank you for your support.

Much love,

Seth