The 38 members of this year's Team Reeve Chicago are set to take on the Bank of America Chicago Marathon this weekend (October 9, 2011). It is our biggest team ever, and the most we have ever raised at this event -- almost $50,000.

This is a lot of hard work, folks. Not just putting the miles in, these athletes are incredible spokespeople for the Reeve Foundation. Below is a chance to meet some of them and get an answer to the question, "Why would you want to do that?"

Running for Dad
In 1995, Davina Leezer's father, Brock Adams, was injured in a car accident. Brock lived for 13 years with a C6, C7 spinal cord injury until he passed away in 2008. "That kind of life is not easy, but he made the best of it," says Leezer, the oldest of his five children. "He just tried to be the best father he could be."
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Marathoner Discovers Love of Running Over Time
Raising money for an event can be difficult and challenging. For Katie Montiel, it can also be an excuse to have a fun time with friends, family, and co-workers. "I'm trying to put a different spin on donating and make it sort of an experience, too," Montiel explains. "People can come if they feel like it, and they don't have to feel like they're being tapped for money."
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Former Army Officer Runs for Injured Vets
"This is my way to give back to the veterans and raise awareness," explains Micaela McMurrough. "A lot more people are surviving these wars and you end up with people that have debilitating injuries, needing rehabilitation and assistance. I think that's what the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is about."
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From England to Chicago, Great-Aunt's Love Runs Strong
Unger says that fundraising is easier than the training for this marathon because the personal component of her great-niece Annabel "has touched people's hearts." As for advice for others looking to raise funds, she says to make the appeal as personal as possible, and to let others know that every little bit counts.
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Half a Country Apart, Leeuw Runs for Her Brother
At the time you are reading this, Chris Leeuw, 28, is rehabbing in South Jordan, Utah, over 1,500 miles away from his sister, Allison Leeuw, 33, who is in their hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana. Chris is at the Neuroworx facility, a Reeve Foundation NeuroRecovery Network (NRN) Community Fitness and Wellness facility, after an accident in August 2010 left him living with an incomplete C4, C5 spinal cord injury.
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Researcher Runs for Team Reeve
Given his profession, Tom Verhovshek's knowledge of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation should come as no surprise. As a post-doctoral researcher studying spinal cord injuries (SCI), he is familiar with the Foundation's mission, as well as what it does to fund research and help those with SCI. These are some of the reasons that inspired Verhovshek to run for Team Reeve.
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