Running For My Hero
CKF Ambassador - Jeremy Nicolosi’s Journey as a Donor Brother
In 2022, Jeremy Nicolosi’s life changed forever. His younger sister, Stephanie, who had lived her 33 years courageously with cerebral palsy, passed away. But even in her final moments, Stephanie continued giving—donating her organs and saving lives. Now, Jeremy runs not only for the finish line but for something far greater: to share Stephanie’s story and champion the cause of organ, eye, and tissue donation through the Chris Klug Foundation (CKF).
Stephanie’s journey was filled with challenges. Born with severe disabilities, she was tube-fed her entire life, frequently hospitalized due to seizures and complications, and was never expected by doctors to live past early childhood. Yet she defied the odds, bringing joy and light to her family well into adulthood.
When she passed on May 24, 2022, after coding twice at home, Jeremy, his father, and his brother made the brave decision—driven by love and Stephanie’s fighting spirit—to donate her organs. That decision has since inspired Jeremy to spread awareness and hope to others, believing that Stephanie’s impact lives on in every life she touched—and continues to touch.
Just a week after her passing, Jeremy completed his second 200+ mile race, running in her honor. But it didn’t stop there. “I realized I needed to do more than just run,” he recalled. “I wanted to keep her name alive and make a real difference.”
That search led Jeremy to the Chris Klug Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about organ donation and supporting donor families. After reaching out, Jeremy joined the CKF Leadville Trail 100 MTB team—one of the most grueling races in the world. Though he has yet to finish the Leadville race, his mission is unwavering: share Stephanie’s story, honor her memory, and support a cause that gave her life new meaning even after death.
To further her legacy, Jeremy founded the Blue Ducky 5K Waddle, a benefit run named for the first toy Stephanie ever held—a rubber ducky—and her favorite color: blue. The event, hosted by Jeremy’s own racing organization, Beast Trail Racing, donates 100% of registration fees to CKF. In its first year, the race raised $500. This year, it has raised $800, with donations still open in honor of the race and Stephany. Jeremy hopes to continue expanding the event, both in person and virtually.
“Even a small group can make a big difference,” Jeremy said. “I like to think of it like this: we’re all duckies, and every little ripple we make can reach across the entire pond.”
For Jeremy, running is more than endurance—it’s healing. It's purpose. It’s how he keeps Stephanie’s memory alive, and how he continues advocating for others to consider the life-changing power of organ donation.
“My sister is my hero. She never complained, never stopped fighting. Now, I get to run with her spirit beside me. I’ll keep telling her story until the day I die—every run, every race, every moment.”
Jeremy’s message is clear: You don’t have to be an athlete to make a difference. Whether you donate blood, register as an organ donor, or contribute a few dollars to an organization like CKF, you can help save lives.
And for Jeremy Nicolosi, that’s a finish line worth crossing every time.
