A MESSAGE FROM David's Fundraising Page
This year, I will be competing in the 50th Marine Corps Marathon because of two significant crossroads in my life.
The first crossroads is the precarious state of biomedical research in our country. With federal and university budgets under pressure, I worry about losing a generation of young scientists, even as the pace of innovative discoveries has never been faster. The only way to keep this generation in the field is to support these young scientists. That’s why, at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, we have supported over 25,000 scientists. NIH scientists have mapped the human genome, leading to gene-based therapies for cancer, sickle cell disease, and cystic fibrosis, among many other breakthroughs. 174 scientists, either at NIH or whose research is supported by NIH funds, have been awarded a Nobel Prize. My father served at NIH in 1961, conducting research on the hypothalamus, and my twin brother is an NIH-supported scientist doing groundbreaking work in restoring motor function following neurologic injury. I want more young people to follow in their footsteps and those of others.
The second crossroads is more personal. The race will occur one month after the date when I will have lived half of my life with paralysis. I broke my neck on April 17, 1999, after hitting my head on a sandbar while diving into the ocean from the beach in Sayulita, Mexico. I was 26 years old. In the 26 years since that day, which will soon mark the midpoint of my life, I have been blessed with graduate degree, a White House Fellowship, an incredible life partner, two fabulous kids, adventures on five continents, and deeply meaningful work. The feelings around this midpoint are complicated and include a sense of loss, pride, frustration, resilience, and an acute sense of the fragility of life. Most of all, I feel a sense of resolve that progress must be made in medical research for the sake of our loved ones and future generations. I am asking for your help.
I, along with my FNIH colleagues and dear friend Mike Green, are setting a goal of raising $260,000 through our participation in the Marine Corps Marathon. That goal represents $10,000 for each mile of the marathon and $10,000 for each year before and after my spinal cord injury. We are being ambitious because that is what this moment demands. I would be so grateful for any help that you can give toward meeting our goal. I will be providing updates during my training to address some of the issues of completing a marathon as a quadriplegic that I never would have understood in the first half of my life (which may not be what you would expect).
I look forward to being on this journey with you.
With unshakable determination, gratitude, and hope,
David
