This January, I'm running the course once again for the Miami Marathon and Half Marathon as part of Team Lifeline. For the sixth year in a row, I have the privilege of running for children facing cancer, disabilities, and serious medical challenges, and for the organization that once ran alongside my own family when we needed it most.

When I was twelve, I became a big brother again to the strongest little girl I know. She spent years fighting a serious illness, and through all of it, Chai Lifeline held our family up with a kind of compassion I'll never forget. They made sure that even in our hardest moments, there was still room for joy, ice cream runs with a volunteer who just showed up to be there, Bulls games, Chanukah and Purim celebrations, a day at Six Flags I still think about. They sent high schoolers to help with my homework at night and arranged home-cooked meals from families we'd never even met, so my parents could be where they needed to be: by my sister's side. They thought of everything. They never missed a beat. They were simply, constantly there.

I run for Chai Lifeline because I know exactly what that kind of support means to a family in crisis, and I know how many children and siblings out there need that same hand to hold right now. This year, my goal is to raise $50,000 to help make sure no family walks through pediatric illness alone. I can't get there without you. Every gift is fully tax-deductible, and every single dollar makes a real difference to a family who needs it.

If you're able, I'd be so grateful if you'd join me by supporting my page. Together, we can bring a little more hope, healing, and happiness to the families who need it most.

Thank you for standing with me, it means more than you know.

-Jacob