Jeff Blostein and Rudy Ayala will be running in the 2014 Boston Marathon on April 21st in support of two non-profit programs they are personally involved in. Please join us in supporting their efforts. Thank you.

From Jeff:

My son, Zach, was diagnosed at age one with a rare, non-hereditary eye disorder called Coats’ disease. By the time it was diagnosed, it was too late to save the vision in his eye. However, through amazing work down at Bascom Palmer, they were able to save the eye itself. He had procedures under general anesthesia every few months for years as part of that process. He still has to go at least twice a year for examinations. Thankfully, his condition is stable. In our constant trips down to the facility, I encountered many children and families going through similar and often much worse ordeals. So many kids had conditions like retinoblastomas and it broke my heart to see them lose their eyes and too many lose their lives. Still, I know they were receiving treatment from a top facility and based upon current technology, all that could be done was being done for them.

I now have a remarkable opportunity to help kids like Zach and so many others. I am honored to have been selected to run the 2014 Boston Marathon as part of Team Eye and Ear, a group of dedicated runners who are raising money to advance the truly inspiring work of Massachusetts Eye and Ear.

Mass. Eye and Ear is one of the top hospitals in the country. Now united with Schepens Eye Research Institute, Mass. Eye and Ear is the world’s largest vision and hearing research center, developing new treatments and cures through discovery and innovation. Mass. Eye and Ear is a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital and trains future medical leaders in ophthalmology and otolaryngology, through residency as well as clinical and research fellowships. Internationally acclaimed since its founding in 1824, Mass. Eye and Ear employs full-time, board-certified physicians who offer high-quality and affordable specialty care that ranges from the routine to the very complex. U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals Survey” has consistently ranked the Mass. Eye and Ear Departments of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology as top five in the nation.

As a member of Team Eye & Ear, I have a lofty goal of raising at least $14,000 to advance the research and care of Mass. Eye and Ear. I would greatly appreciate any donation at all to assist me in reaching this goal and going far beyond it. Donations are fully tax deductible and can easily and quickly be made online at the website I set up at http://www.crowdrise.com/teameyeandear/fundraiser/jeffblostein. If you would prefer to write a check, please make it out to Foundation of Mass. Eye and Ear, Inc., place my name in the memo section, and return it to my attention.

Thank you for your support!

From Rudy:

This year I have been given the amazing opportunity to run in the Boston Marathon on behalf of The Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Like many other Boston area natives, I too was strongly affected by the tragic events that shook the Boston community during last year’s Marathon. And so when I was presented with the opportunity to join The Michael Carter Lisnow Marathon Team, I knew it was something that I had to do. I have made it my mission to raise funds for this unbelievable organization, whose sole purpose is to create a home away from home for children and adults with disabilities. The Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center is a place that provides a multitude of day, overnight, and weekend respite programs including after school care, summer vacation camps, residential placements and employment support for individuals with disabilities. Through these programs the Center provides parents/families with much needed relief from the daily emotional and physical care needs required by their loved ones suffering with disabilities.

Truth is, my family’s story and journey is very similar to that of the families the Center helps each and every day. When my sister was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and Dystonia at an early age, I had no idea what those names meant or how that diagnosis would impact my family. Now, almost twenty years later, it is difficult to explain how it hasn’t impacted my family. Having a family member with a debilitating disease is difficult, for anyone. That is why having access to a place that is able to offer the care, support, time and love the Center provides to families such as mine is so important. The services they offer are unique, and in many cases are the only thing that help these families cope with the daily challenges and stresses they face. I am honored to be running as a member of their team.

Please, join me in my efforts in raising money for this worthy cause. As I continue to train and work hard to get ready for this run, your support is what will allow me to achieve my goal. No donation is too small. Please check out my personal fundraising page so you can learn a little bit more about this amazing non-profit organization and make a tax-deductible contribution today. http://www.razoo.com/story/2014-Michaelsmiraclemarathonteam-Rudwinayala.