This year, as I celebrate my 50th birthday, I’m taking on one of the most challenging and inspiring races in the world — the Comrades Marathon in South Africa. On June 8th, I’ll join thousands of runners from across the globe to cover nearly 90 kilometers (about 56 miles) from Pietermaritzburg to Durban,  through the valley of a thousand hills.

Comrades is the oldest and largest ultra-marathon in the world and has a rich history of people from all walks of life coming together. Over 20,000 people will toe the starting line in hopes of reaching the finish line in Durban before the 12-cut-off. The support runners give to one another along the route is one of the best examples of humanity I’ve ever experienced. The route will also be filled with hundreds of thousands of spectators encouraging and supporting the runners every step of the way.

I first ran Comrades fifteen years ago and have completed the race multiple times. While the memories are unforgettable, the challenge ahead feels even greater this time. Taking on this feat at almost 50 feels both daunting and deeply meaningful — a personal reminder that with courage, perseverance, and the support of a strong community, we are capable of achieving what once seemed impossible.

That spirit of community is at the heart of both the Comrades Marathon and the mission of Marillac St. Vincent Family Services. At MSV, we believe in the power of people coming together to support one another, to lift each other up, and to disrupt the cycle of poverty for children, families, and seniors in our community. Just as no runner completes Comrades alone, no person facing hardship should have to walk their journey alone. Every step I take on race day is for them — and for all of us who believe in building a stronger, more compassionate world together.

Please join me in supporting MSV by making a gift. Together, we can go farther than we ever could alone.