Combined Goal: $30,000
You can choose to direct your gift entirely to one organization or split your donation equally between both Special Olympics NY and the Wheelchair Sports Federation.
The 14-Year Promise
In the autumn of 2012, everything was aligned for the New York City Marathon. Months of grueling early-morning training blocks had built toward the starting line, but then Hurricane Sandy tore through the region with fury. The storm plunged nearly two million people into darkness. The marathon was rightly cancelled as New York united to focus on what truly mattered. Yet, the running spirit endured; I like many others traveled to Pennsylvania and completed the Harrisburg Marathon—all 26.2 miles of it.
At the time, the kids were just 7, 8, and 10 years old, watching their dad navigate life’s unexpected detours. One of them looked up and planted a seed that would take over a decade to sprout: "Dad, one day we’ll all run the NYC marathon together." Fast forward to today, and that simple childhood observation is reality. Standing on the precipice of race day alongside Aashni, Armaan and Anum is an overwhelming milestone for our entire family.
Roots of Advocacy
Inspired by two incredible people in our lives, we are immensely proud to be running for two organizations that merge our passion for sports with life-changing advocacy for people with physical and intellectual differences: Special Olympics NY and Wheelchair Sports Federation.
Our eldest daughter, Shaani was born in 1999 with Down Syndrome. Shaani didn't survive her first year after undergoing a complex heart operation, but her impact on our lives was permanent. From her short time with us, we learned an enduring truth: she would never have been defined by a diagnosis or a label. Today, we witness that same indomitable spirit everywhere we look, as individuals with Down Syndrome and intellectual differences continuously shatter barriers and achieve extraordinary things.
This run is also dedicated to our good friend, Victor Calise who fought tirelessly for equity as the commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, championing the rights and inclusion of the disabled community in every corner of city decision-making.
Commitment to the Journey
Running Together
Championing Inclusion
Join Us at the Finish Line
We need your help to cross that $30,000 finish line. Every contribution is completely tax-free and tax-deductible. Choose your preferred organization below to support our campaign: