It is hard to believe that I just signed up for my 9th year running for Chai Lifeline.

I must admit it is challenging at times to lace up my shoes and hit the pavement to do another 3 months plus training schedule. The training I find is a lot more challenging than the actual race. There is a big time commitment and it requires persistence and perseverance.

My goal this year is to raise more money than last year.
This year I am running for a refuah shlema, for a precious little 2 year old girl, Shayna bat Surah Baila Ganendel who has Rett Syndrome.

Rett Syndrome is a rare non-inherited genetic neurological and developmental disorder that occurs almost exclusively in girls and leads to severe impairments, affecting nearly every aspect of the child’s life: their ability to speak, walk, and eat. It is important to note, cognitively, Shayna is at her age level and understands everything. Babies with Rett Syndrome seem to grow and develop normally at first and then show signs of regression. This little girl currently can’t walk or talk.

I hope and pray that every single dollar I raise and every step I run will be a blessing for this little girl to be strenghtened through her treatments as well as for a cure to come soon.

Training is not easy, but neither is dealing with illness. If the children of Chai Lifeline can fight each day, if they can push themselves to go through hospital stays and treatments, I can do this for them. But I can't do this without your support. I need your help to raise as much money as possible for these kids. So please, push the donate button and help me put smiles on the faces of sick children. Let's do this together! Let's make dreams come true.

Best - Risa