Michelle Bell

Michelle is a first-year neurology resident at the New York Neurological Institute (Columbia Presbyterian). Her stroke patients are her inspiration and motivation. “For one, I am humbled every day by the inner strength and emotional resilience my patients and their families are able to muster in the face of devastation. Secondly, my patients have taught me to deeply appreciate the simple gift of good health.”

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Craig Bitter

Doctors informed Craig’s father, Glenn, that he had experienced three strokes. However, the strokes did not rob Glenn of function, which is so often is the case. Craig plans “to run for many others and their families who have experienced the long recovery road back from stroke.”

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Amanda Brodbeck

Running has been a part of Amanda’s daily routine for many years. She decided to run the 2011 ING NYC Marathon in honor of her aunt, who died of a stroke three years ago. Amanda says, “I am very excited to work hard at training, raising money for this organization and running the marathon!”

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Geraldine Carroll

Geraldine Carroll may not be a natural runner, but she is determined to run the NYC Marathon for National Stroke Association. She views her participation as an act of courage—action in the presence of fear. “If through my effort I can inspire others to give, to think about helping any cause they feel close to, then I will have attained my goals and my mission.”

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Marie Ciardella

Marie is an avid runner who has competed in a dozen half marathons and two full marathons. Her dad had a stroke at the age of 51. He survived with partial paralysis and mild cognitive impairments. Marie’s younger brother John had a stroke at the age of 33 and passed away in February 2009. “Each step of this race will be taken in honor of those who have experienced this struggle in addition to those who have provided support through what are often the most difficult moments of our lives.”

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Shanamai Cover

Shanamai will be running the 2011 ING NYC Marathon on behalf of National Stroke Association. She says, “This 26.2 mile run is about raising awareness to encourage prevention and to continue support for those who have been affected by stroke, like my mom.” Shanamai’s mother continues a slow recovery from her second stroke. With the help of healthcare professionals, she continues to build strength and gain more range of motion in her right arm and leg.

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Michael Darling

Michael was misdiagnosed with a brain aneurism in 2007, which lead to his interest in stroke. Michael says, “After research, I decided to get fit again and began running. Two marathons later, I am running again this year for stroke. I joined the [National Stroke Association] Board of Directors and am helping to bring awareness of stroke to people in the USA.”

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Kasandra Edge

My mother had a stroke in 2003 that left her with aphasia. She is a gem of a woman who has gone through every type of rehabilitation to include acupuncture. She still struggles with her inability to communicate but has overcome the permanent damage of the stroke through a tenacious spirit and a will to find normalcy and beauty. She's a true inspiration!

I wanted to join the Endurance Team for the NYC Marathon because it will allow me to raise funds for the organization which has helped my mother and so many others. Joining the team will allow me to accomplish my own dream while paying tribute to my mother for her relentless endurance and determination.

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Nikki Ellis

I had a hemorrhagic stroke on September 22, 2010, at the age of 29. When it hit me, I was sitting in the stroke unit at Barnes Jewish Hospital and had all the doctors and nurses telling me I needed to change my life. I should not be in this unit at 29 from a stroke. I took several weeks off from work to regain my feeling back on my right side. When I returned, I somehow became this inspiration. Coworkers were getting their blood pressure checked and taking their medications. I found myself saying "Don't end up like me!"

So now I've decided to do a lifelong dream—run in a marathon.

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Lew Enns

Lew works as a pharmacist in a rehab hospital and has great respect for what stroke survivors are able to accomplish. He was first around stroke patients as a paramedic. Lew says, “The New York Marathon has been a running goal of mine for some time and when I saw the National Stroke Association as a possible charity I could represent I lobbied hard. There is so much work that needs to be done and as a health professional we rely on these organizations daily.”

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Chris Frederick

Chris will be running in the 2011 ING NYC Marathon for his mother, who suffered a severe stroke in 2003. The new focus for Chris and his family has been recovery, rehabilitation and remembering to live each day to the fullest. Chris says, “I am looking forward to completing this year's ING NYC Marathon with the same determination and patience stroke survivors have taught me.”

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Colleen and Jon Herskovits

Colleen and Jon know that stroke affects thousands of people every day. They say, “It's so important that people are aware and informed. We are running on this team for people everywhere—but especially for Bob, Bernie and Julie.”

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Kelly Hill

Kelly’s grandmother suffered a series of strokes before passing away this spring. The experience changed Kelly and her family’s lives forever. Kelly says, “She is my inspiration. I am running for stroke to help raise awareness about stroke as well as raise money to help support the wonderful services National Stroke Association provides.”

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Lenice Hogan

Every aspect of my life has been effected – physically, emotionally, spiritually and not only my life, but that of my families. It contributed to my husband leaving me and my children’s fear that I will have another stroke (I have had three).  I vowed to run on behalf of the National Stroke Association’s NYC marathon team every year that I am blessed to be able to do so because I not only want to raise awareness and money for stroke related issues and research, but I also want to prove that although I suffered a stroke – a victim of it – I am also, and more importantly a SURVIVOR! And I will not let this stroke define my life!! I run for all of those who have not been as blessed as I am and I write all the names of those survivors that I have encountered along the way on my race day shirt! I run for us all!

Repeat after me: Today, this will not be a problem! I will not let my stroke define me, but encourage me to go beyond my wildest dreams and live life to its fullest! Not as a stroke victim, but as a stroke SURVIVOR!

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Larry Jones

Larry has been a physician for 31 years in Harrisburg, Illinois. Many of his long-term patients and friends have suffered strokes. “It's great to see the great strides in treatment of stroke that have been achieved over the past several years. The developments of thrombolytic therapy, carotid stenting procedures and the increased availability of stroke centers have all helped me do a better job in helping my stroke patients.”

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Greg Mateja

Greg has always been an avid runner, and has participated in many marathons. In 2005, his mother suffered debilitating strokes that left her with an inability to walk, talk or take care of basic necessities due to complete paralysis of her left side. Greg’s mother passed away in 2008 due to complications. Greg says, “I am returning to run the 2011 ING NYC Marathon as a part of National Stroke Associations ream for the third year, eager to help raise funds for this wonderful organization that does so much to spread awareness about stroke.”

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Phillip and Shaye Moskowitz

Phil (Zvi) is an accountant who a few years ago, with motivation from his doctor, made a conscious effort to change his lifestyle to lose weight and get fit. The 2011 ING NYC Marathon will be his first. Phil says, “I am currently training to run the 2011 NYC Marathon to raise money for National Stroke Association. It is in honor of all people who have been able to move forward as a result of stroke.”

Shaye is a vascular neurosurgeon at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He spends his time diagnosing and treating people with strokes and blood vessel problems of the brain. This will be his ninth marathon, but his first time running the ING NYC Marathon. Shaye says, “I am running the NYC marathon this year to also give my physical self to raise money to fight, prevent and bring awareness to the difficult problem of stroke.”

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Maureen O'Connor

Two years ago, Maureen’s nephew suffered a stroke at birth. He continues to gain strength with the help from healthcare professionals. Maureen is running for her nephew and says, “I am also running to raise awareness about strokes and funds for services National Stroke Association provides for people.”

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Michele Perkins

Michele is a registered nurse on a recently certified stroke unit at Little Company of Mary Hospital, located near Chicago. She cares for stroke survivors on a daily basis and sees how stroke impacts not just the survivor, but their families and caregivers also. “I realize how important it is to keep people educated on the risk factors of stroke, prevention and rehabilitation.”

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Ilana Semel

Over three years ago, Ilana and a friend ran four miles in Central Park at midnight to ring in the New Year on a healthy note. Ironically, six days later her father suffered a stroke. Fortunately, Ilana’s mother recognized the signs of stroke and acted fast. Her father received immediate care and had a relatively speedy recovery. Ilana says, “[Stroke survivors] dig deep and find the strength to forge forward and live their lives. It’s the least I can do to find the strength within myself to run 26.2 miles and raise money every step of the way to help educate others about stroke.”

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Summer Shaw

When Summer was eight years old, her father suffered a stroke. He passed away in May 2010. Summer will be running in her father’s honor at the 2011 ING NYC Marathon on November 6.

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Todd Smithson

Todd Smithson is a 32-year-old tattoo shop owner from San Diego, California. His father-in-law suggested that, as a 50th birthday gift, Todd run a marathon. Todd is proud to be part of National Stroke Association's Endurance Team and is running in honor of his wife, Carly.

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Kristine Spano

In fall 2010, Kristine suffered a stroke. Fortunately, the blood clot was small enough that it did not affect a major portion of her brain. She says, “I would like to help educate my friends and family about the symptoms of stroke and about how to help loved ones who suffer from such debilitating illnesses.” Kristine will be running the 2011 ING NYC Marathon for her grandmother, aunt and all those affected by stroke.

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Dan Sutton

Daniel’s father had a stroke in his earlier 40s, while his grandmother (on his mother’s side) had a stroke shortly before passing away. It’s been a big aspiration of Daniel to run a marathon. Daniel says, “It will be an honor to run and raise money for a charity that works on an issue so close to me and my family.”

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Mark Williams

Mark Williams’ father-in-law suffered a major stroke due to unfortunate medical mismanagement—and he passed away a week later from another stroke. Mark wishes he could have met his wife’s father. “I know that there are hundreds of thousands of stroke victims each year, some of whom, like Judy's father, don't survive—and those who do are often struck with incapacitating complications that require unfailing caregiver support, love and patience.”

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Michelle Bell
Craig Bitter
Amanda Brodbeck
Geraldine Carroll
Marie Ciardella
Shanamai Cover
Michael Darling
Kasandra Edge

Nikki Ellis
Lew Enns
Chris Frederick
Colleen & Jon Herskovits
Kelly Hill
Lenice Hogan
Larry Jones
Greg Mateja

Phillip & Shaye Moskowitz
Maureen O’Connor
Michele Perkins
Ilana Semel
Summer Shaw
Todd Smithson
Kristine Spano
Dan Sutton
Mark Williams