Marathoners Return to Grant Park to Fight Liver Disease
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is Sunday, October 13
The American Liver Foundation (ALF) is proud to once again be a member of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Official Charity Program for the 2024 race, which takes place on Sunday, October 13, 2024, starting in iconic Grant Park.
“ALF is excited to be at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon once again. We are so honored to have this opportunity to have a team running Chicago and are grateful for all the runners who continue to raise awareness for the nearly 100 million people in the U.S. affected by liver disease,” said Lorraine Stiehl, Chief Executive Officer, American Liver Foundation.
The American Liver Foundation’s 2024 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.
Gordon Scott is the 2024 Chicago Marathon Liver Life Challenge Chair and runs for his daughters who were diagnosed with rare liver diseases four years ago. Claire was diagnosed with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC), and Emma was diagnosed with PFIC and Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. He says, “I will be running the Chicago Marathon to raise funds for ALF in honor of my daughters and the over 150 million people globally who suffer from liver disease.” This will be Gordon’s second marathon with Team ALF, his first was the 128th Annual Boston Marathon.
For one liver patient, running in Chicago will be his first marathon. David Parker was diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), now called metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis, in February 2022. After his diagnosis, he changed his lifestyle and lost 55 pounds in five months. After catching the running bug in June of 2022, he was hooked. “What better first marathon to compete in than the Chicago Marathon, one of the biggest and most exciting races in the world, and also my original hometown! Being selected as one of the 35 members to compete with and help spread the word of ALF is an honor and I look forward to continue to write my own book. Don't let a diagnosis, or bad couple of chapters define your own book. Control the narrative, go for a run, and make a change,” said David.
Greg Ciaciura will be running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon for the 15th time. As Program Director, Transplant Program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Greg has firsthand insight into the effect liver disease has on patients and their families. This will be his 6th marathon with Team ALF, and he will be joined by his son, Dario, who will be running his first marathon. Greg says, “This year's marathon holds special significance for me, as my son Dario will be running his first marathon alongside me 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.”
Other members of ALF’s 35-member team include:
- John Hickey: Running in memory of his mother-in-law, Judi Dane, who passed away 13 days after her diagnosis with bile duct cancer, cholangiocarcinoma
- Andrew Tai: Running his first marathon. He is an academic hepatologist at the University of Michigan taking care of veterans with liver disease
- Stephanie and Christine Belbey: Sisters running in memory of their father, William Belbey who passed away about six weeks after his diagnosis with cholangiocarcinoma. This is their first marathon together.
- Michael Doyen: Running the Bank of American Chicago Marathon for the first time to honor his wife, ALF Board Member Anne Doyen, who received a living donor liver donation from their daughter, Katie, in 2017.
- Max Kelly: Running his first marathon in honor of his mom, who received a lifesaving liver transplant in October 2022.
- Ellie Lee: Running in memory of her dad, Robert Mellin, who was an Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Disorder and liver cancer patient. His cancer came back post-transplant and he passed away in 2022. This will be Ellie’s third marathon and first with Team ALF.
Learn more about ALF’s 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon team and support their 26.2 mile run at https://liverlifechallenge.org/chicago/.
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).