Community Corner
Joliet Mom Chosen as MS Run the US Relay runner
The MS Run The US – 2014 Relay is a 3,000- mile relay across America to raise awareness and funds to help CURE Multiple Sclerosis (MS)! The Relay begins on April 13th in Los Angeles, CA and is completed on August 17th in New York, NY. Joliet Mom Kelli McDonald is one of sixteen runners that have been selected to be a part of the MS Run The US -2014 Relay.
Why would anyone run 142 miles for MS? Multiple Sclerosis has been a part of Kelli’s family since 1989 when her Mom, Peggy Kubic, was diagnosed. It has been 24 years since then and she has seen MS take a lot away from her Mom. It took her ability to teach preschool, her ability to run, dance and walk long distances. It has almost crippled her with Scoliosis. It has given her pain and numbness 24/7. However, MS has not taken her spirit and her will to fight this disease. “Twenty-four years ago MS was not a common household name. It scared the whole family to death.” But Kelli’s Mom is resilient and smart and she learned about this disease and then educated them and so many others. “To say my Mom is strong is an understatement. My Mom is AMAZING! She truly is my hero!”
When Kelli’s Mom was first diagnosed her MS was relapsing-remitting and worsened with time. She has done her time with the "ABC" drugs for MS. When she was at her worst about ten years ago, she completed a year of Novantrone, a low-dose chemotherapy that halted her exacerbations. Today she is secondary progressive MS (SPMS) which means the disease is now progressing more steadily (although not necessarily more quickly), with only having had a couple of minor relapses in the past several years. In December of 2008 Kelli’s Mom had a major spinal fusion due to MS onset Scoliosis. In a very scary year her Mom went from having a 10% curve in her spine to doctors telling her if she did not have surgery her vital organs would be crushed. “A small construction site in her back cannot stop this woman. She may bend differently but she still hasn't stopped moving!”
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In 2012 Kelli dedicated her triathlon season to her Mom and those affected by MS. She raised funds all year to help find a cure for MS. Kelli completed her first Half Ironman (70.3 miles) that year and finished her season in Columbia, SC (where her parents live) racing The Dam Tri in late September. She donned herself in orange (the color for MS Awareness) from head to toe and grabbed her Mom, wheelchair and all, and crossed the finish line together. Kelli was fortunate to meet Ashley Kumlien, founder of the MS Run The US Relay, Inc. at an MS recognition dinner in Chicago. “That's when I learned of the MS Run the US Relay. I was intrigued, but running was not my favorite thing to do.” Last year her main focus during her training was running. “I was able to take a lot of time off of my Half Ironman and it all came from my run. I also was honored to run with Anne Coffman who was a runner for the Relay last year.” After that run her mind was made up. “I had to do it. The next day I submitted my application for the 2014 Relay. I could not be more honored to be running a segment of this Relay. My Mom said I'm crazy for doing this. I told her there is no one else I'd run over a hundred miles for. As long as there is no cure for MS I will be raising awareness and funds to find one!!”
As part of being a relay runner for the MS Run The US – 2014 Relay, Kelli has pledged to raise $10,000 toward MS research and education. If you would like to help her reach her goal, please go to her personal page at:
