This January, I will be running in the Miami Marathon/Half-Marathon as part of Team Lifeline to benefit children with cancer, disabilities, and other serious medical conditions.

Over the past few years, I've seen firsthand the amazing services that Chai Lifeline has provided to my niece. About 5 years ago, Zahava, who was just 6 at the time, was diagnosed with an extremely rare condition called AVM, Arteriovenous Malformation, for which there is no cure. In essence, her veins and arteries were intertwined inside her foot. Veins push blood and arteries pull blood; Zahava’s were both pulling the blood from her heart down into her foot causing her whole foot to swell to disproportionate sizes, becoming very uncomfortable and dangerous for Zahava’s bodily blood flow.

Zahava has since spent her life having embolization surgeries almost every 6-8 weeks. She also spent many months either on crutches or in a wheelchair and in pain management clinics or on morphine drips. This year, after multiple emergency visits to the hospital and little reprieve for Zahava, her doctors concluded that an amputation would give her the best chance of having some level of normalcy in her life moving forward. At the end of this month, Zahava will be undergoing an amputation of her foot to remove the AVM. Although we hope that this surgery will bring much needed healing, there is an 80% chance of the AVM returning. Zahava will continue to live with the effects of AVM for the rest of her life, as well as adapt to a different way of living life without the use of her foot.

Throughout Zahava’s continual journey, Chai Lifeline has been a bright spot during a difficult time. They’ve provided countless support, including food during hospital stays, special one-on-one time from volunteer Big Sisters for Zahava and her siblings, and Zahva’s favorite, Camp Simcha Special.

Zahava is the strongest girl I know, and I will be running in her honor. My goal is to raise $5,000, but I need your help. Every donation is 100% tax deductible. Please join me in supporting this important organization by contributing to my personal runner page. Together, we can make a difference. Thank you for your support!

Emily