Our uncle, John Braun, had an infectiously enthusiastic attitude, room-brightening smile, and loving spirit toward all those around him. He biked daily, and we aspire, by running the Chicago Marathon, to honor this athleticism which was taken from him too early. John Braun was diagnosed with ALS, and passed away after a short fight in 2014 when he was 50 years young. Not long after, in 2020, our aunt, Sue Strey, passed away from the same disease. After her death, our family discovered that we carried a gene which exposes carriers to ALS. ALS takes people by their physicality first, plaguing their ability to walk, speak, eat, and communicate. It is an unpredictable, painful, degenerative disease that, currently, has no cure. Through beginning our journey towards the Chicago Marathon, we hope to raise money to fight the horrors of ALS. Les Turner’s foundation uses these funds to help bring comfort to those currently suffering from ALS, as well as to find a cure for the disease. Donations for ALS are vital for a disease that is not prioritized in research or drug approval and not well represented in media. We hope that you will assist us in raising funds to protect the future of our family, and countless others, from facing ALS. Thank you for your consideration and help towards a cure.