Get to know the 2026 Racing to End Lupus TCS New York City Marathon Team
This November, nine Racing to End Lupus team members will be taking on 26.2 miles across the Big Apple in the TCS New York City Marathon.
As each team member trains for this elite race, they are also raising lupus awareness and funds to support the mission to end lupus. Get to know the team members who will be rocking purple across the finish line.
Deemah A.
What is the why behind your 26.2 miles?
Watching my best friend live with lupus has taught me that the hardest parts aren't always the visible ones. In her case, it isn't only the physical side of it. She has taught me how to push through life with resilience and how to stand peacefully in the face of hardships. Running is where I find some version of that in myself. I hope my 26.2 miles come somewhere close to the way she chooses to move through her life. I'm grateful to be running for her and for the Lupus Foundation of America, and to be putting something toward their research.
What is one thing you want more people to understand about lupus?
It's that what you're seeing is usually just the surface. My friend describes it as everything having a tax. When people don't know that, they push your boundaries, because they can't see it from the outside. The good days have a cost, so you have to be mindful of how you choose to exert your energy. That's why it matters to pay attention and build a support system around your loved ones.
What has been the most meaningful part of your Racing to End Lupus journey so far?
The most meaningful part of my journey so far has been the self-discovery or unraveling that came with it. Every time I've dreaded getting on the treadmill and have gone anyway, I have come off it with a lesson in my pocket about how I approach the rest of my life. Showing up over and over has taught me more than I expected it to.
Where is your favorite place to get your training miles in?
I can tell you what didn't make the list of favorite places to run: my treadmill. Summers in Khobar are scorching, so running in the same spot for hours hasn't been easy, but I've still found more peace in it than I anticipated. Otherwise, I love running by the sea at sunrise. It fills my soul.
Chris E.
What is the why behind your 26.2 miles?
To show that a disease like lupus shouldn't stop you living life to the fullest.
What is one thing you want more people to understand about lupus?
It's an invisible disease that affects so many different organs in so many different ways that you can be sure each person with lupus is suffering, but in their own unique indiscernible way.
What has been the most meaningful part of your Racing to End Lupus journey so far?
Meeting others with lupus who are active and trying to remain active.
Where is your favorite place to get your training miles in? The bike path around one of our local reservoirs, where my running friends and I first started running many years ago.
J.P. K.
What is the why behind your 26.2 miles?
It starts with Jess – my wife, a lupus warrior and my #1 supporter, and a family that’s always laced up together, costumed turkey trots at the Manchester Road Race were a holiday tradition for us. Along the way, running became my meditation, and every mile of this 26.2 carries that with it.
What is one thing you want more people to understand about lupus?
Every day is unpredictable and different. People like my wife Jess try their best to live a normal life, but the disease often has other plans.
What has been the most meaningful part of your Racing to End Lupus journey so far?
Doing what’s in our control to fight lupus and stand with others in that fight. The first Loop Classic, a golf fundraiser me and my wife hosted, was a milestone on its own, but the real win was watching families come together to support each other and the cause. Many of our attendees have been touched by lupus, but at its core, the tournament was a celebration of the support networks we build.
Where is your favorite place to get your training miles in?
The cape cod rail trail by Chatham, MA.
Nathan L.
What is the why behind your 26.2 miles?
The Lupus Foundation has been a big part of my family for over 20 years after my mother's cousin Michael was diagnosed in 2003 and eventually passed away. To be able to help spread awareness about lupus and represent the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is a huge honor for me, and I am extremely excited to combine my passion for running and fitness with a cause that is very important to my family.
What is one thing you want more people to understand about lupus?
I want more people to understand that lupus can affect people and their families long after a diagnosis. I have seen first hand how much losing someone to lupus can affect a family and the amount of work it takes to properly recover from losing someone to lupus. As I continue my training and to spread awareness, I hope more people can feel connected to the LFA and work to hopefully find a cure.
What has been the most meaningful part of your Racing to End Lupus journey so far?
Meeting the fellow team members and learning about their personal histories with lupus has been very interesting and eye-opening and has helped me feel more connected to the LFA than ever before. I am excited to see how our running journeys come together and how much money and awareness we can raise for the LFA in the process.
Where is your favorite place to get your training miles in?
I live in a very active, run-focused town where run clubs meet up all the time for group runs. I love to run around my hometown when people are running together and join them for the easy and difficult runs.
Francesca M.
What is the why behind your 26.2 miles?
I’ve lived in NYC for over 7 years and have always wanted to run the marathon, after running London when I lived there in 2019. After my mum and I received our diagnoses, I realized I wanted to run with a real purpose and raise awareness and funds for the Lupus Foundation of America.
What is one thing you want more people to understand about lupus?
The spectrum of lupus symptoms is so broad and impacts each person so differently.
What has been the most meaningful part of your Racing to End Lupus journey so far?
Realizing I am not alone in this journey. My Instagram algorithm is heavily skewed to lupus warriors and marathon training reels at the moment!
Where is your favorite place to get your training miles in?
Running alongside the west side highway or Central Park for some hills. Summer streets in NYC were very cool too.
Judi N.
What is the why behind your 26.2 miles?
I am running the NYC Marathon for the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) because a simple clothing donation receipt completely changed my life. After scheduling a donation pick-up, the LFA left behind a receipt that included a checklist of common lupus symptoms. Reading through that list, a sudden realization washed over me as I recognized my own symptoms. That list was the catalyst that pushed me to see my doctor, and now I am taking on these 26.2 miles to raise awareness so that another person might find the answers they desperately need.
What is one thing you want more people to understand about lupus?
Lupus symptoms are often vague and can develop years before a formal diagnosis is possible. Because these signs easily mimic everyday stress or common ailments, they are simple to dismiss or mistake for something else. If you think something is wrong with your body, don't wait—talk to your doctor!
What has been the most meaningful part of your Racing to End Lupus journey so far?
Learning just how much the Lupus Foundation of America does to support other people living with lupus and getting to hear their powerful personal stories.
Where is your favorite place to get your training miles in?
My favorite places to train are a bike trail near my house, a scenic trail right by the beach, and the familiar loops right around my neighborhood.
Erich S.
What is the why behind your 26.2 miles?
I am running the NYC Marathon with the Lupus Foundation of America in honor of my mom, who passed away in 2016, and for every family still fighting the disease today. My mother’s strength, courage, and care inspire me to seek opportunities to challenge myself while simultaneously striving to make a difference. What excited me most about the NYC Marathon is that some of my fondest memories with my mother were traveling to the city during the holidays to partake in the various Christmas-themed festivities. So, this race will allow me to remember and honor those memories while supporting a cause I’m passionate about -- helping others impacted by the disease and showing people living with lupus that they aren’t fighting alone.
What is one thing you want more people to understand about lupus?
That lupus is unpredictable and often invisible. Lupus strikes without warning and affects every person differently. Someone can look perfectly healthy while quietly managing a serious, life-altering illness.
What has been the most meaningful part of your Racing to End Lupus journey so far?
Since losing my mom, lupus has been a driving force in my life. I’ve raised $2.1K for the Lupus Foundation while training for a half-Ironman, served on the NYC Walk to End Lupus Now planning committee in 2024 , and volunteered at several other walks to support people with lupus and caregivers. The Lupus Foundation of America has taught me the difference that love, support, and community make when overcoming obstacles.
Where is your favorite place to get your training miles in?
Central Park in NYC.
Eric T.
What is the why behind your 26.2 miles?
Running the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon is especially meaningful to me, as it marks 20 years since I first completed the race in 2006. Since then, my daughter was diagnosed with lupus at 16 years old and has been passionate about raising lupus awareness ever since. In 2025, she shared her story at a local lupus family walk, where she spoke about living with lupus and offered valuable insight on communicating and raising awareness with the younger generation. With my daughter's encouragement and approval, I am excited to run the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon in her honor and on behalf of everyone living with lupus, raising funds and support for research, development in advanced treatments and eventually a cure. While Lauren would love to run the marathon herself, lupus-related joint involvement prevents her from doing so. I am proud to take on this challenge, Racing to End Lupus, on her behalf and in support of the entire lupus community.
What is one thing you want more people to understand about lupus? Lupus is one of many autoimmune diseases that is “invisible” to people around because the internal attack to joints and organs are not always noticeable to others. In addition, it leads to permanent damage and can cause debilitating, physical and mental impact as well as early death.
What has been the most meaningful part of your Racing to End Lupus journey so far? The pain endured in training is only for this journey versus full time for a person with lupus, especially those affected by joint involvement like my daughter.
Where is your favorite place to get your training miles in? Crushed stone trails along the Trinity River in Fort Worth Texas. In addition to these team members
Dan W. will be running his 26.2 in the race after deferring his entry last year due to medical reasons. Dan is a lupus warrior and has been a dedicated participant in the program for many years, serving as a run coach and making his miles matter to help end lupus.
Learn more about the Racing to End Lupus program and how you can make your miles matter in the fight to end lupus.