On Sunday, November 2nd, as tens of thousands of runners took to the streets of New York City, five dedicated athletes wore the AFBS logo with a profound sense of purpose.
This was the main event. Our Team AFBS runners—Finley Craig, Leonardo Oliveira, Fernanda Depari Estelles Martins, Aidan Andrews, and Amara Andrews—embarked on the 26.2-mile journey through all five boroughs, turning their months of training into a powerful statement of hope for the Nemaline Myopathy community.
Together, they raised over $39,000 to support our mission and accelerate the path to effective treatments for NM. We are overwhelmed by their commitment and the generosity of everyone who supported them.
Kicking Off the Weekend with Purpose
The celebration began on Saturday at a wonderful gathering hosted by the Baier family. We came together to honor the runners, not just for their incredible generosity, but for the months of hard training and dedication it took to get to the starting line.
We were also excited to welcome Dr. Vandana Gupta, one of the brilliant, AFBS-funded scientists researching gene therapy and drug repurposing. Dr. Gupta spoke about her vital work, creating a tangible link between the funds being raised and the science being accelerated. It was a powerful moment, connecting our athletes and community members directly to the mission they are so passionately supporting.
Race Day: Resilience on the Course and the Sidelines
Sunday was a lesson in resilience for everyone.
As our runners battled the course, members of the NM community gathered to cheer them on—a gathering that is quickly becoming one of our favorite AFBS traditions!
Just getting to our rally point, however, was an adventure that highlighted the very challenges our community faces daily. It was a lesson in accessibility (or lack thereof) in a major city. From being rerouted on the subway to stations with no elevators, to having to backtrack, and finally taking a bus, the journey was a stark reminder of the barriers that exist and the strength it takes to navigate them.
But our community, like our runners, is resilient. We made it, and the sight of our team cheering from the sidelines provided a critical boost for our athletes.
From the Hearts of Our Runners
What does it feel like to run 26.2 miles with such a heavy purpose? Our runners shared their experiences:
Leo, who worried an injury might sideline him, showed incredible determination. “Projected pace per mile will be around 10 minutes now that I’ve injured my hamstrings,” he told us before the race. “I promise I’ll do all I can to get to the finish line!” And he did.
Fernanda found that the mission was stronger than her own insecurity. “I was so insecure on Saturday morning—about the race, my injuries… but meeting the team that afternoon reminded me once again of the real goal,” she said. “Every time I thought about giving up… I remembered Ceci’s resilience—and it made me even stronger… Fundraising for AFBS gave every mile a deeper purpose.”
Finley echoed that sentiment: “Thank you SO much, this was an experience of a lifetime. It meant so much to me running for those who can’t. I was so emotional and inspired the entire race.”
For Amara and Aidan, who ran for Liv in matching custom jerseys, the race was about partnership and purpose. “The race was amazing,” Amara shared. “Aidan ran with me the entire time and we ran hand in hand through the finish. Something I will never forget!”
While the race was incredible, Amara said the true impact came from the preparation. “I was most emotional training and raising money for this great cause. The support… reminds you of all the good in the world… And although after the race Aidan and I said we will never do it again, we would actually do it in a heartbeat for Liv and now for all the amazing families we met!!”
A Weekend of Strength
To our runners, our community cheerleaders, the Baier family, Dr. Gupta, and every single person who donated: Thank you.
You have done more than run a marathon or raise money. You have shown the world what “building strength” truly means. This $39,000+ will be put to work immediately, funding the most promising research as we get closer than ever to finding treatments.
We are so deeply grateful.
A Foundation Building Strength (AFBS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the development of treatments for Nemaline Myopathy. Our mission is to fund cutting-edge research to find effective treatments while providing resources and a strong community for families affected by NM. We are proud to be at the forefront of driving Nemaline Myopathy research breakthroughs forward through collaborative events like SciFam.
Donate to AFBS: Your monetary gift will support critical research and provide vital resources for NM families.
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