The New York Marathon.  I’ve talked about running it before, but I just never motivated to train for “the big one.”   Then…the chance to run, not on my own behalf, but for others courageously embracing challenges far beyond mine, made it easy. 

Just slap on the shoes and run, mile after mile…for them.

Through my travels as keyboardist with country superstar Tim McGraw, as well as my work with the Foundation, I’ve met some truly stellar individuals who I have the honor of representing in this effort.

I first met brain tumor survivor Jeannie Kauffman last summer out on the concert trail.  Jeannie, her partner Jen Ringler, and I got acquainted over burgers at a diner in Los Angeles.  Afterwards, she shared her spirit with me singing  “All In For a Cure,” an original composition inspired by her own personal journey.

She sang her heart out, right there in the restaurant, free and vibrant…a shining example of hope and perseverance.

Hannah Uhrmacher and I met at a concert last summer as well.  She and her family had been invited to our “show before the show” – a brief intimate performance by Tim, Faith, and a few of our band members backstage – and there it began.

Hannah and I hit it off immediately.  She was loveable, considerate, insightful, funny, caring, and magnetic – a charming young lady dressed all in pink that was unfairly taken too soon by a brain tumor.

I have no doubt that both Jeannie and Jen will be cheering me on from the sidelines of this event.  And Hannah will be running with me…in pink shoes, no doubt.

Thank you for your donation, and for more on my road to the marathon, visit my blog at JeffMcMahonOnline.com.

The Tug McGraw Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt organization designated by the Internal Revenue Code. Our tax identification number is 20-0586256.