$370.00

My name is Shane, though I enjoy going by my full name, Shane Julian.

I am a husband. 

A Brooklyn native.

A son of immigrant parents.

A brother.

An ARMY veteran.

A father of two four-legged boys.

And even though I carry all of these personal identifiers, the one I am most proud of is being my father's twin.

Long story short: my father came to America in search of opportunities he could not find in Ecuador. But he had one goal in mind...work hard, save money, and eventually move back to Ecuador with his three kids. On November 12, 1995, that goal changed unexpectedly.

Every year, when the New York City Marathon takes place, we either watch it live on TV or head to the corner to cheer on the thousands of people who train all year to run those 26.2 miles. But that year, while watching live on TV, my dad had his first seizure. He was rushed to the hospital, even as the streets were closed for the marathon. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with epilepsy.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of my father's diagnosis and of his care under Dr. Blanca Vasquez, who has seen each of us grow, including my parents.

This year, he is my why.

I will run in my home state with passion, pride, discipline, and the full energy of New York City to honor the man who never quit, who always chose to grow and take risks for his family.

I want to finish the race, earn the medal, and gift it to him as a reminder that life itself is a marathon and that I am forever grateful for the life he has given me.

Please join me in this fundraiser to help Team FACES continue supporting families who, like mine, live with the challenges of epilepsy.

My fundraising goal is $960, a tribute to my father's birth month and year, September 1960.

Gracias Papi! Thank you, Sixto, for ensuring that I am a man of my word.

With excitement & shin splints,

Shane Julian