Earlier this year, as I was standing in corral “H” waiting for the starting gun of the Chicago Marathon, I met two gentlemen who had run the race over a dozen times.  They gave me great advice for the next race; “next year, put your name on your shirt, and people in the crowd will cheer you on by your name”.  They explained that the cheers really helped to inspire them to finish the race. As I removed my sweat shirt just before the gun, my new race companions noticed the billboard on my chest and my back for both the Joshua Frase Foundation and Where there’s a Will there’s a Cure.

As the gun went off and I began my first marathon, I thought to myself, I am one, one person in a sea of thousands, running for change.   Whether our child’s name is Joshua, Will, Adam, Patrick, Allie, or Leo…WE ARE ONE VOICE. 

The nearly 6 hours on the course (I was not running for time J) gave me time to reflect on the last twenty years of Alison and my journey.  It gave me time to think about all of the CNM/MTM children across the globe, from Florida, to California, Australia, England, France, Germany, Italy, and Canada…I played back in my mind the many conversations I’d heard Alison having with hundreds of these families, whenever they’d call, day or night.  I thought of the losses and the victories, the triumphs and the defeats. I had tears of pain, and tears of joy.

Amazingly, almost on que, when my legs were cramping and my chest was heaving and I had a brief moment of weakness, I heard “let’s go Joshua, you can do it, you are doing a great job”, and “Hey Will, you only have 6 more miles, you’re almost there, keep going, you are awesome.”  I also heard one guy yell at the top of his lungs as he was standing on a concrete barricade looking down at me, “Hey old gray haired guy, you are doing great!! Keep going, you are almost to the finish line.”

Our ‘Call to Action’ for you, is to once again be a part of the common goal, to eradicate these deadly disorders and finish the race that has been set before us.  Join The Joshua Frase Foundation by investing in the journey of our CNM/MTM community as we approach the finish line. 

Here’s how you can help; endowment partners, corporate sponsorships, corporate matching gift programs, one time gifts, and we are excited to announce the launch of “Change Starts With One” merchandise.

We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the commitment you have made over the years to help the CNM/MTM families around the world. Alison and I have been blessed over the years to be part of a community that has heart and the will to cross the finish line.

Sincere gratitude for being apart of the change, wishing you and your family a beautiful holiday season and a very happy and healthy New Year.

Paul, Alison and Isabella