Hi Everyone,

This April, I’ll be running the Jersey City Half Marathon — but this race is about so much more than miles or a finish line. I’m running in support of the IgAN Foundation, a cause that has shaped my life in ways I never expected.

I’ve lived with IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) for 30 years. It’s been a quiet companion through so many seasons of my life — moments of uncertainty, strength I didn’t know I had, and lessons in patience and resilience. Like so many living with chronic illness, I’ve learned what it means to keep going, even when the path isn’t clear.

The IgAN Foundation has given me something incredibly powerful: community. A place where I feel understood, supported, and less alone. Together, we’re working to raise awareness, support patients and families, and fund research that brings us closer to better treatments — and one day, a cure.

Every mile I run carries the stories of those living with IgAN — past, present, and future. And every donation, no matter the size, helps move this mission forward. It’s hope made tangible. Progress made possible.

If you’re able to give, I’d be deeply grateful. Thank you for standing with me, for supporting this cause, and for helping turn this run into something bigger than myself — something that truly matters. 💙

xxRaiza/Isa

We Can for IgAN: Every Step. Every Story. Every Hope.

This year, the IgA Nephropathy Foundation is honored to have been selected as an official charity partner of the Jersey City Marathon

— a recognition that gives our community the incredible opportunity to share our mission on one of the region’s biggest stages.

As Team We Can for IgAN, we’re running, walking, and fundraising to bring visibility to IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) — a rare autoimmune kidney disease that can lead to kidney failure.

For us, every step represents strength, every mile carries a story, and every finish line moves us closer to a cure.

The IgA Nephropathy Foundation is the only nonprofit 100% dedicated to supporting IgAN patients and their families through education,

financial aid, mental health support, and groundbreaking research.

Being part of this marathon isn’t just about running — it’s about standing together, showing what’s possible, and turning awareness into action.

We run for our loved ones. We run for hope. We run because We Can for IgAN.

💙 Join us. Support us. Believe with us.

Donate to our team, become a fundraiser, or simply share our story.

Together, we can do what once felt impossible — and cross the finish line for a future free from IgA Nephropathy.