Hi! Thank you for visiting my page.

On May 18, 2025, in the middle of my daughter's graduation party, I had a stroke. It came out of nowhere. As I got rolled into the ER from the ambulance, the intake person asked "What do we have here?" and I heard the answer "Stroke". I started to tear up. This can't be. Was my life, at least that very active physical life I have always embraced, in danger? That was pretty rough.

But I was lucky. Lucky? Yes. Against the odds, I have fully recovered. That is seldom the case with strokes. Did you know:

2000 Americans will have a stroke today
15% will not survive it or die shortly thereafter
40% will have moderate to severe impairments requiring special care
10% will require long term care
25% will recover with minor impairments
Finally, there are the fortunate 10%'ers like me, who fully recover. However, those of us in this group are 25% more likely to have a second one.

What and Why: On May 16---almost exactly one year after my stroke---I will be running in a 12 hour ultramarathon (and hopefully covering 50+ miles) at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, NJ to raise funds for stroke victims. The Stroke Foundation (www.thestrokefoundation.org) provides financial assistance for costs not covered by insurance. For example, maybe the coverage they have imposes limits on the number of treatments such as physical, speech, and/or occupational therapies. The Stroke Foundation, through their Stroke Survivor Fund, works directly with providers and strives to get the most assistance possible for each patient. One's insurance should not determine their recovery! Your donation will DIRECTLY benefit those people who most need help. How rewarding is that? The minute I learned about this organization I was drawn to it, and I am excited to team up with them for this event.

Background: Since 1991, so many people have supported my fundraising efforts as I have taken on marathons, ultramarathons, Ironmans, double Ironmans, and even climbed mountains to raise money for important causes. Thank you! Through the years we have supported the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; the Susan Komen Foundation; and the American Cancer Society. This time I am humbly asking for your support for what is a very personal cause, and The Stroke Foundation is a perfect match. Know that every dollar helps and will help a recovering stroke victim. Having you with me in spirit will help keep these 72 year old legs moving! And know that you WILL be there in a way, since as always, I will be carrying a list of donors with me for the entire event. Of course you are always welcome come to the event in person! (It's a lot of fun, as there is a whole lot more going on than just crazy runners. Horse shows, rabbit and guinea pig contests, and lots more "fair-type" activities to keep you entertained.)

I can't wait for race day to get here. I have trained hard and am ready to run (and walk, to be sure). More importantly, I am excited to raise as much money as I can for The Stroke Foundation to help stroke victims recover as much as possible. Maybe my effort that day will provide some inspiration for others who are facing the long road to recovery. There is hope!

As a little incentive to help out, the top five donors will get one of my hand-turned wood bowls. And, I'll also randomly draw three more names from my donor list to give away three more. Bowls? I needed a new hobby when I "mostly retired" last spring. I (usually) enjoy the process of creating something new, and while they're a bit rough around the edges and have their flaws (like their maker), they're pretty okay!

Thank you all for joining me as we help others in this very meaningful way. I hope to hear from you, and will of course let you know how it all turns out!

Mac Rand

108 Miller Hill Drive

Lagrangeville, NY 12540

shadypoint@hotmail.com

Running for Stroke Recovery

Because Healing Shouldn't Have a Price