Marathoners Head to Berlin to Fight Liver Disease
50th Annual Berlin Marathon is Sunday, September 29
The American Liver Foundation (ALF) is proud to be a member of Charity at the BMW Berlin Marathon for the 2024 BMW Berlin Marathon, which takes place on Sunday, September 29, 2024. This will be the 50th anniversary of the prestigious event.
“ALF is excited to be at the BMW Berlin Marathon for the first time. We are so honored to have this opportunity and are grateful to marathon organizers for the chance to raise awareness about liver disease, which claims the lives of two million people globally each year,” said Lorraine Stiehl, Chief Executive Officer, American Liver Foundation.
The American Liver Foundation’s 2024 BMW Berlin Marathon team has already met their fundraising goal and has since increased it. All funds raised will go towards ALF’s mission to support those affected by liver disease. The ALF marathon team is made up of runners with varying levels of experience from novice to advanced, most of whom have a connection to liver disease.
Kerry Schneider will be flying from DC to Berlin for her second marathon, but not her first ALF Event this year. In June, Kerry was the 2024 Liver Life Walk DC Event Chair and will be running in Berlin as the 2024 Berlin Marathon Liver Life Challenge Chair. “I am thankful to ALF for being an amazing community throughout my autoimmune hepatitis journey. I’m honored to be a part of this team and to serve as the Event Chair,” said Kerry. She will be running with her partner, Carsten Erner, who has been with her since her diagnosis.
Jim Miller, ALF’s Liver Life Challenge Global Ambassador is running in his 279th marathon. Jim ran his first marathon more than 23 years ago, after his father died from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now called metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease. “I have so many reasons to be excited for the 50th anniversary of the BMW Berlin Marathon. I’m grateful to be running and fundraising for ALF, and, as always, running in memory of my Dad,” said Jim.
For one runner, the BMW Berlin Marathon will get him one race closer to a goal of 100 marathons, but it’s his first running for a bigger purpose. Mike Wien said, “I am running to honor the memories of my uncle and my brother-in-law, who lost their battles with liver disease. I have run over 75 marathons in my running career. This is the first marathon I have run that has a bigger purpose than just finishing and it makes this race more meaningful. I am making a difference by raising money to fund research that will improve the lives of people with liver disease and will help build awareness of how to minimize the risk of developing it.”
Other members of ALF’s inaugural 15-member team include:
- Warren Hall: Running his third marathon with Team ALF, running for liver patients. Warren is the National Manager, Support Services, American Liver Foundation.
- Kim Hermesch: Running her ninth marathon with Team ALF, in memory of her brother.
- Sarah Moquin: Running in memory of her dad. This will be Sarah’s 10th Marathon with Team ALF.
- Ben Pendry: Running for his daughter, Jackie, biliary atresia. This is his second marathon with Team ALF.
- Robin Turner: Running her second marathon with Team ALF after being diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).
Learn more about ALF’s 2024 Berlin Marathon® team and support their 26.2 mile run at https://liverlifechallenge.org/berlin/.
About the American Liver Foundation
American Liver Foundation (ALF) is a national community of patients, caregivers and medical professionals dedicated to helping people improve their liver health. Providing guidance and life-saving resources, we are a beacon for the 100 million Americans affected by liver disease. We advocate for patients and families, fund medical research and educate the public about liver wellness and disease prevention. We bring people together through our educational programs and events and create a network of support that lasts a lifetime. ALF is the largest organization focused on all liver diseases and the trusted voice for patients and families living with liver disease. For more information visit www.liverfoundation.org or call: 1 800 GO LIVER (800-465-4837).