Running a marathon has been a longtime personal goal of mine, but doing so in support of an organization whose core mission is to serve the communities I grew up in makes it more meaningful. I grew up on the Southwest Side of Chicago (Back of the Yards and Gage Park), where Esperanza Health Centers is rooted. Their core mission is to provide accessible health services on the Southwest Side. They believe (myself as well) that everyone should have access to healthcare regardless of where they live, their income, their health insurance status, or their immigration status.

More than anything, this is an opportunity for me to give back to the communities that taught me resilience, ambition, and compassion among many other things. It is because of them that I am able to take on hard things like running a marathon.

If you're able to, please consider supporting my fundraiser. Every donation helps Esperanza Health Centers provide accessible healthcare. Donations will help make programs such as sliding scale fees or pharmacy discounts possible.

About Esperanza Health Centers:

In 2004, residents of the low-income and primarily Latino neighborhood of Little Village joined with administrators from nearby Saint Anthony Hospital to address the critical lack of accessible health services on the Southwest Side. Realizing that thousands of residents lacked quality medical services and relied on the emergency department for routine care, they decided to open a primary care clinic on South California Avenue and name it Esperanza, the Spanish word for hope.

Today, with seven sites and a team of more than 400 dedicated staff, Esperanza is one of the most respected Federally Qualified Health Centers in the nation, delivering accessible, bilingual care to more than 50,000 patients every year. From adult medicine, women's health and pediatrics to behavioral health services and wellness programs, Esperanza meets the needs of its community with innovation and a sterling commitment to quality.