Hanna Mandel

I am extremely proud and grateful to announce that I will be running the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon for the organization “March of Dimes”, for their “Run For Babies NYC” team for a second time! The “March of Dimes” is a non-profit organization that strives to raise awareness about premature birth and improve the health of mothers and babies. This organization means a lot to me. 

I was born 25 weeks premature weighing only 1lb 13ounces. I remember my parents telling me that I had a 50% chance of even surviving the night. My dad often tells me I was so tiny that, “I fit into the palm of his hand”.  I spent four very long months & one day in the NICU growing and getting stronger. After finally going home, my family became very involved in The March of Dimes and they have forever been a part of our lives. 

The strength I had in the NICU never disappeared. If you told me I’d be training again this summer to run my second nyc marathon I would think you were crazy. Throughout that training cycle I encountered a very serious spine injury that took me out of training for a month, 1 month before the race would take place. Although I was scared, that injury only fueled me to get even stronger and still find any way possible to cross that finish line. That strength that it took me to survive in the NICU is still in me as I will persevere once again to run this race. 
 

As a member of this incredible team, I have pledged to raise funds in support of The March of Dimes. I am asking you to please support me and help me in my fundraising efforts as I hope to cross the finish line once again. Thank you so much, in advance, for all of your support! -Hanna