Why I'm Running

Ever since I could remember, I've always been a runner. What started out with playing running games outside turned into an avid soccer career throughout my entire childhood, accompanied by cross country and track and field. I have made some of my best friends through running and find it to be the best way to connect with myself. 

Just this year, my twin sister, Alexandra Fontana, ran the 2024 Chicago marathon as a tribute to our late grandmother who had passed away due to breast cancer. She also ran it in honor of her passion for running. It was a breathtaking performance on her part and truly a spectacular honor on mine to get to watch her run her heart out and qualify for the Boston Marathon. But no one got to watch her put in the work, struggle, and then ultimately succeed behind the scenes like I did. I want to experience that same grit, perseverance, satisfaction, and fulfillment to achieve one of my greatest life goals of completing a marathon, particularly while I am at my greatest running foundation and ability (and before medical school). 

With that said, as a charity entry for the 2025 Chicago Marathon, please consider donating to Advocate Health Care through my donation site—any little bit helps!

Charity entry's, myself included, have to raise $2100 by September in order to participate in the marathon on October 12, 2025, where we represent the charity we raise money for. As a member of the Advocate Health Care charity running team, I will be training, fundraising, and ultimately running 26.2 miles to benefit patients and families in need. 

Raising money for Advocate Health Care means a lot to me since I work as an Emergency Room volunteer through Advocate Health over the breaks. Being one of few Level 1 hospitals in the Chicago area--and the only in my county--Advocate Condell Medical Center extends through highly underserved communities spanning across the greater Chicago area. We see a diverse range of patients and find our hospital spaces to be less updated than newer hospitals in the area. 

Money raised on my behalf will go towards cancer research (breast cancer--very important to me--included), helping children and adults with down syndrome, improving emergency room utilities, and giving back to the nurses and physicians who save lives everyday, a mission I am also passionate about as an aspiring physician myself!