2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Semper Fi & America's Fund Team

In 2018 - I broke my arm one week before the Chicago Marathon ... I was out for my last shake out run when I tripped over a tree root growing up out of the sidewalk and broke my arm in two places, tore a ligament in my wrist, and bruised my ego pretty badly. I like to tell everyone that I was running THAT FAST to do so much damage, but really no one has ever accused me of being graceful.

Against the advice of the ER doctor, I ran the 2018 marathon anyway. It wasn't pretty, but I made it to the finish line because I had trained for months and I'm just that stubborn. You don't need an arm to run! 

I'm headed back to Chicago this year for a do-over. This course is supposed to be for setting PRs, not running cautiously so you don't exacerbate a flagrant injury.

When I found out the Semper Fi & America's Fund (you'll always be just the Semper Fi Fund to me!!) was hosting a team, I figured why not make my clumsiness also support a good cause?

This incredible charity was created to assist Marines arriving at Walter Reed Hospital after catastrophic injuries from war. They have expanded to a wider mission over the years, but they still are caring for Marines. The particulars are below, but the short version is: they are good people doing good things for Marines in need.

Semper Fi & America’s Fund cares for our Nation’s critically wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and military families. Supporting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, we provide one-on-one case management, connection, and lifetime support. Today. Tomorrow. Together.

• Semper Fi & America’s Fund is A+ rated from CharityWatch — their highest rating.

• Semper Fi & America’s Fund ensures our combat wounded, critically ill, and catastrophically injured U.S. service members and military families experience the appreciation and respect of our supporters. Our warriors and their families will achieve the highest possible quality of life and independence in a loving, caring, and committed community and will not be forgotten on their road to recovery and beyond.

• Semper Fi & America’s Fund manages and operates diverse, comprehensive programs in the areas of Service Member and Family Support, Transition, and Integrative Wellness through a “needs-based” approach. All grants are delivered through a one-on-one case management relationship, the result of which is life-changing and lifesaving.

• Semper Fi & America’s Fund employs a powerful holistic approach, integrating physical, mental, and emotional recovery through powerful therapies and innovative technologies, which most often leads to both healing and post-traumatic growth.

• To date, Semper Fi & America’s Fund has given $345 million in vital and ongoing assistance to over 33,000 service members, veterans, and military families.

Please support our campaign by entering an amount in the "Make a Contribution" box below. If you would like to donate directly to one of our team members, please enter the runner’s name in the “Search” box above.

Thank you for supporting Semper Fi & America's Fund and for helping those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom!