My name is Kristen Sheppard. I'm an Alpha.

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) is a genetic (inherited) condition that may result in serious lung disease in adults and/or liver disease at any age. I'm actually considered a carrier (MS); However after coming down with a bad flu and pneumonia in March of 2016 I've struggled with lung issues. On July 10, 2016 I was diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency after my breathing just wouldn't get better.

Two years prior to my Alpha-1 diagnosis I began running. I was 42 at the time. I only wanted to run for my health (and some private time. I'm a mother to two boys). When I was diagnosed I chose to not stop running. Even though my lungs were beginning to really give me more and more issues, I never stopped running. I just kept going. I was running race after race.

Each year I run one marathon, one half-marathon a month (on average), and several races from one-mile to ten-miles. I have since completed the Boston Marathon in 2018, during the worst weather in the history of the race (oh I was sick after that for weeks). I plan to run the Chicago Marathon in October 2020 and the NYC Marathon in November 2021 (both bibs are already secured).

I'm not fast I'm pretty average in shorter races. Longer races I get pretty slow. My goal is always to just finished. There are times during races I think of my Alpha sisters and brothers and I run for them. I always run with a purple ribbon on my race bibs.

Please support me by making a donation and let's find a cure together!