Donation Ideas

Please donate only what you are comfortable with - every dollar and every donation is important and appreciated. 

• $26.20 - A dollar per mile. 
• $44.44 - Four is our lucky number: Dad's Lacrosse #, Brendan+Charlie+Jack+Maggie
• $138.0 - An O'Brien family saying: One sentence, three words, eight letters (I love you)
• $262.0 - $10 per mile.

I am looking for song suggestions for my marathon playlist. If you have a suggestion, please write it in your donation or text me!

My Story

Hello,

As you may well know, I (and my whole family) lost my dad to suicide on June 2, 2020. It was a tragedy for us all, and a day that changed so much.

Our 2022 TOB Team post-race. Tired but happy.Soon after the loss of my dad, I ran 6.2 miles in his memory. It was a deeply personal act, one in which I found a sense of peace and connection with him. For me, running has always been an opportunity to cultivate resiliency - something I have had to learn more about and engage with in a deeper way after the loss of my dad. 

Three years ago, my incredibly strong sister led the charge in having members of our family run the Chicago marathon in our dad's honor and raised money in his name for AFSP. It was an incredibly meaningful experience and inspired a personal challenge to continue supporting a cause which I feel a deep and personal connection to.

I continue to fundraise when I run as a way to support what I feel is an important cause, and one that unfortunately feels more universal than it should.

Post-race 2023 with Charlie Any donation made here will go directly towards AFSP's work in funding scientific research, educating mental health professionals, promoting policies to address the suicide epidemic in our country, and provide programs for survivors of suicide.

Every donation, big or small, is incredibly appreciated and helps address this incredibly important and personal issue.

And remember that on race-day, you can follow my progress in the "Chicago Marathon App" by searching my name!

Sincerely, thank you.