ALF’s Liver Life Challenge is Official Charity Partner of 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Team ALF Chicago Marathon runners unite to fight liver disease

American Liver Foundation (ALF) is proud to once again be a member of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Official Charity Program for the 2025 race, which takes place on Sunday, October 12, 2025, starting in iconic Grant Park.

“ALF is honored to be an official charity partner for the upcoming Bank of America Chicago Marathon once again as thousands prepare to run through the vibrant streets of Chicago to raise awareness of liver disease,” said Lorraine Stiehl, Chief Executive Officer, American Liver Foundation.

For ALF, the Chicago marathon is not only a celebration of endurance but a powerful platform to educate, engage, and inspire as we shine a spotlight on the urgent need for liver disease prevention, research, and patient support.

 ALF’s 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon team has exceeded their fundraising goal. 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.

Chicago resident Greg Ciaciura will be running in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon for the 16^th time. As the Transplant Program Development Director at Northwestern Medicine he understands the transplant process and has firsthand insight into the effect liver disease has on patients and their families. This will be his 7^th marathon with Team ALF. He will be joined by his son, Dario, who will be running his second marathon alongside his dad. Greg said, “My son and I are thrilled to participate once again as part of the ALF Liver Life Challenge team. Together, we'll be pounding the pavement, fueled by our passion for the cause and the desire to make a meaningful impact.”

Chicago resident Sydney Flakus-Witte, who works at the Duchossois Family Institute where she is involved with exploring the gut microbiome’s impact on liver health, is running for the first time in the Chicago Marathon in honor of her partner of 11 years who was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis six years ago. Sydney says, “Witnessing his struggle firsthand motivated me to contribute to a future where rare autoimmune liver diseases are better understood and treated."

Other members of ALF’s 38-member team include:  

• James Atkinson: Running his first Long Beach Marathon as a DIY fundraiser with ALF. Both of his parents have received liver transplants. His dad passed away in 2004. His mom has fully recovered and is living a full life.
• Megan Daniel: Running for the first time in honor of her daughter, Addilyn, who was born with a rare liver disease called Biliary Atresia and had a liver transplant when she was just 8 months old. The first transplant failed. Two days later she received a second liver. Today, Addilyn is a strong, sassy and resilient 3-year-old, full of life and light due to the miracle of organ donation.
• Alyson Doherty: Running her first marathon in honor of her aunt who received a liver transplant and has been involved with ALF for many years. Alyson grew up watching the ALF Chicago Team run the marathon and is very excited to be on the team this year.
• Michael Doyen: Running for the 2^nd time in the Chicago Marathon in honor of his wife and ALF board member, Anne Doyen, who is a liver transplant recipient. Their daughter, Katie, was her living donor.
• Jim O’Connell: Ran in the Boston Marathon for 10 years. This is the first time he’s running in the Chicago Marathon. He lost his dad to liver cancer in 2010 and has committed himself to doing something positive in his memory.
• Maddie Petre: Running for the first time in the Chicago Marathon and is ALF’s Team Captain. She’s running in honor of her fiancé, Michael, who passed away from Hepatocellular Carcinoma after a 15-month cancer battle.
• Brooke Price: This is her first time running in the Chicago Marathon. She is running in honor of her first patient as a Liver Transplant Coordinator who faced every challenge with determination and strength, received a transplant but still passed away due to complications. His loss was devastating but it also fueled her passion to support others who face similar journeys.

Learn more about ALF’s 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon team and support their 26.2 mile run at https://liverlifechallenge.org/chicago/.