Hi all! 

I’m looking forward to running the 2023 United NYC Half-Marathon as an official Harboring Hearts runner. I ran this half-marathon in 2017 and supported Harboring Hearts then, but this time is even more meaningful. As many of you know, my mom, Margaret Slattery, had a very serious heart infection in the first weeks of 2022 and she needed a complicated surgery at Columbia University Medical Center in Manhattan. (A video and description of the surgery are being shared with doctors who work with/operate on cardiac patients.) She was in the ICU for a time, then in a step-down unit, and finally, after one month in the hospital, she was released to a rehabilitation facility in Riverdale, where she continued to recover for five more weeks. I am pleased to say that my mom is doing very well now and is back to her regular activities. As a family, we were very lucky that top medical professionals were located within driving distance, but not all heart patients are as fortunate.

Harboring Hearts has provided over 1,600 families and over 7,450 patients and caregivers with emergency support from housing to transportation to emotional support programming. They offer invaluable, tangible support outside of what a hospital can offer, and although my mom and our family did not need their services, many, many heart patients do.

I would appreciate a donation of any amount as I train for the 2023 United NYC Half-Marathon, if you feel that you would like to contribute to this cause. Small donations are very valuable, so if you would like to donate at all, please know that no amount is too small! 

Finally, I realize everyone has their own charities they support, but I'm honored to be able to help Harboring Hearts because of the challenges my mom faced recently. I hope to run a good race for them in March and thank you in advance for your support!