The Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. is honored to be a partner charity in the Boston Marathon next month – the second year in a row! Our participation reflects our belief that we all have purpose; the Foundation is dedicated to helping all people fulfill that promise for themselves.

Participating in the marathon also grows from our understanding of how, underlying the competition of a race, runners reinforce each other. That’s the idea behind the AKF Run Team: We are stronger together, and in a world with more differences and tensions than ever, now is the time to build a better future. We believe joining together and running 26.2 miles through Boston’s streets, raising money for programs that strengthen marginalized communities abroad, is a way to embody that commitment.

We are very proud of our 2015 AKF Run Team members for Boston:

• Danielle Healy is excited to be a part of this team with the chance to run for the Aga Khan Foundation. As a registered nurse, her personal goal is to travel overseas to help children. She is proud to be associated with the Foundation’s work to ensure people receive proper healthcare, and that her fundraising will support efforts for lasting positive change.

• Jessica Reynolds, also in the nursing profession, is passionate about ending global poverty and the role women have in building a future for stronger, healthier and well-educated families. Coming from a family of three generations of runners, she is honored to join the team and run for an organization working hand in hand with local communities in Asia and Africa to build a better future together.

• Catherine Kabui, a registered nurse, is our first volunteer runner. She grew up in Kenya and has seen the good work the Aga Khan Development Network does in education and livelihood development in East Africa. She volunteered to join the team and run for a cause, inspired to help create long-term solutions for those who have the greatest need. Catherine says that running “gives you endurance and patience. If I can do one mile, then I can do two miles. Then you can find yourself doing 26.2 miles. You apply that in your life and you know you can do anything you put your mind to.”

This severe winter in the Northeast has tested the mettle of all three runners. Says Catherine, “It’s been very challenging, especially when it gets icy. I have taken a few falls here and there on the ice. But you know what you’re running for, so you just keep focused.” She adds, “The Foundation is a good cause because it has made a lot of difference in people’s lives.”

All three are doing a tremendous job, supported by Coach Nargis Solis, in preparing themselves for the physical challenge. They’ve also taken on a big fundraising challenge. Support the team today!

We, too, all have a long way to go to end the causes of intolerance and poverty. Your donation helps. Please click on the Crowdrise button below – it only takes a minute to donate and help our runners push into the final month before the race!