In March 2014, while stationed in Korea as a medic in the Army, my younger brother David was diagnosed with leukemia. He flew stateside for treatment at Walter Reed, and then transferred to Mass General for the remainder of his treatment.

My parents, my sister Annie, and I were with David when he died on August 12, 2015.  David was 27 years old.

Long after his doctors told him he had no chance of survival, David participated in medical trials in the hopes of more effective treatment for patients who would be diagnosed long after he died. David received excellent care, but he still suffered enormously. He had his appendix and then his colon removed. He lost his vision for a while due to retinal bleeding. His ability to communicate was impaired by slurred speech, likely caused by medication, and then by raw sores on his throat that made speaking and eating very painful. David suffered months of nausea and pain.

David believed, and I still believe, that even minor improvements in the quality of life of leukemia patients are worth a great deal of effort. I hope the funds we raise here will lead to a cure, but I'd be satisfied if they led to one patient having one day without pain or nausea.

I will be running the Boston Marathon on April 18, 2016. It will be my 25th marathon in my 25th state. David was also a runner. We ran Hartford together in 2011. In fact, the last time I saw David healthy was on a family vacation which included a marathon in North Carolina in December 2013.

Please join me! Make a donation to honor David. Make a donation to help those who are still suffering.