My life has been great, but never easy.  A child of a single mother, I spent my early years with the stigma of living in poverty.  I had to rely on the government for food, clothing and shelter -- never a very prideful thing to have to accept.  The shame I felt from others was very damaging and hard to deal with, but because of this help I was able to persevere and make a great life for myself.  I was luckier than most.  I have since always tried to do the right thing and give my time to charity. Others in the world are not as fortunate as I have become and I have always done what I can to help.  When I lived in London, I saw that what I was fortunate to escape here in the States others were not as lucky to escape there.  Because of this, I have decided to dedicate running the London Marathon for Turn2us, an amazing UK charity that helps the homeless and poverty stricken in London in similar ways to how I was helped here in the States.  Just because you live in one country, you shouldn't feel like you cannot affect change in another. Help me make a difference for others who have not had the advantages that many of us have.