Running this marathon for CKF is more than just a goal for Brittney; it is a deeply personal mission. She is lacing up her sneakers in honor of her beloved brother, Billy Flood.

Billy was the kind of person who always showed up for others without hesitation, his heart overflowing with generosity and a vibrant zest for life. When she lost him, Brittney's world shifted dramatically. Her best friend and confidant was gone, leaving a void no one could have prepared her for. Amidst her grief, her mother made the courageous decision for Billy to become an organ donor.

The family had no idea who the recipients would be, or the impact his donation would have, but they held onto the belief that something extraordinary would emerge from their loss. Then they learned the name, Chris. One of the lives Billy saved was none other than our founder and chief, Chris Klug.

Today, Brittney is a mother, a wife, and a woman dedicated to living each day with purpose. She will run to honor Billy and to remind others that even through profound loss, hope can rise and propel us toward our brightest futures.

Sheena moved to New York during the pandemic for her ophthalmology residency, and finished her training as a corneal transplant surgeon at Weill Cornell Medicine last year. She is currently doing an additional global fellowship, helping developing countries train local surgeons and create sustainable eye bank systems. So far, this fellowship has taken her to Guyana, Indonesia, North Macedonia, Myanmar, South Sudan, and Sierra Leone.

While her medical training prepared her for the science behind transplantation, she was struck by the fact that the greatest challenges lie beyond the operating room. Community awareness, regulatory frameworks, and sustained advocacy are a huge part of tissue transplantation. By sharing patient stories and lessons from her global experiences, she hopes to educate and empower both her patients and fellow surgeons to become advocates for organ and tissue donation in their own communities.

New York is a city that shaped Sheena into a transplant surgeon. It will be incredibly meaningful to mark her final year of training by completing her first marathon, while raising awareness for a mission so close to her heart.

Running is the unwavering rhythm in Ketan’s life. It offers him a sanctuary to process, reflect, and push his boundaries. Whenever life becomes overwhelming, he finds solace in running. When he seeks clarity, he turns to the open road. Completing the NYC Marathon has always been a dream, but participating with CKF “will transform a personal milestone into something far more meaningful, something bigger than [himself].”

This past summer, Ketan faced the devastating loss of his best friend, Axel, in a tragic car accident. Axel, selflessly an organ donor, left behind a legacy of hope. In the solemn days following his passing, Ketan stood with Axel’s family during his honor walk—etched in his heart as one of the most heartbreaking and powerful moments of his life. “In the midst of unimaginable grief, I witnessed something extraordinary. Axel saved and improved the lives of twelve individuals and their families.”

Inspired by Axel’s courageous decision, Ketan's perspective on organ donation transformed. It became more than a mere checkbox on a driver’s license, it emerged as a profoundly human and brave choice with the power to create life out of loss. He will run in honor of Axel’s legacy, channeling his grief into action and awareness, showing the impact that one person, one decision, can have on the world.

In 2008, at just 9 years old, Jon faced the daunting news of being diagnosed with Primary Sclerosis Cholangitis (PSC).

Growing up with PSC meant knowing a liver transplant was inevitable. Yet, Jon's spirit was unyielding. He chose to be active, finding solace and strength in sports. In high school, Jon discovered his passion for running, a love that intensified in college. By 2019, he was soaring, having his best season yet. Unbeknownst to him, as he anticipated the 2020 season, his PSC was rapidly advancing, his MELD score reaching the critical point for transplant.

In a remarkable display of love and support, Jon's family rallied around him, with his older brother, David, emerging as the perfect donor match. On December 8th, 2020, Jon received the gift of life—a liver transplant that marked a new beginning. After two challenging weeks in the hospital, he returned home, ready to embrace life with newfound vigor. Jon graduated in 2021, and completed his master's in 2023, all while continuing to run and chase his dreams.

At the onset of his diagnosis, Jon feared sports were beyond his reach, until he learned about Chris Klug. Chris's journey ignited a fire within Jon, motivating him to push boundaries and become an advocate for organ donation. Jon has since competed in the Transplant Games of America, volunteered with Gift of Life, and participated in numerous running races. He is driven to inspire others with his own story, just as Chris's story inspired him as a young boy.

Natalie is a doctor by day, runner by night, and the sister of a liver transplant recipient for life.

As a physician in the pediatric intensive care unit, she has witnessed the power of donation from multiple perspectives. On one hand, she has seen it save her patients' lives. On the other hand, she has supported the families of patients who have passed away, and witnessed how they navigate the heroic gift of life.

Natalie’s reason for running goes deeper than just her work life. In the summer of 2024, Natalie’s younger brother, Nick, was diagnosed with PSC at 29 years old. It was soon discovered he was already at the end-stage of liver disease, and his doctors recommended a transplant immediately. His family began searching for a living donor, and 1 year after his diagnosis, they received the call that he had a match.

Nick has since bounced back, and is living life to the fullest! Natalie is running in honor of the gift her brother and their family received. She wants to raise awareness and inspire others to become donors so that they, too, might save a life like Nick’s.

Some people run for medals or as a way to check off an item on their bucket list. But Hayley is running the NYC Marathon for something far greater, something that transcends personal achievement. She is running for legacy, love, and in honor of the vibrant life of her best friend's brother, Billy Flood.

Hayley witnessed her best friend, Brittney, navigate the depths of her grief with a strength and resilience that few possess, turning sorrow into a powerful force for good. Inspired by Brittney's unwavering courage and the cherished memories of Billy, Hayley is determined to weave a tapestry of remembrance with each stride she takes next to Brittney.

Her journey is not just about crossing the finish line, it is about celebrating a life well-lived and ensuring that the spirit of Billy continues to inspire others to live fully and love deeply. As Hayley laces up her running shoes, she carries with her the hopes and dreams of a legacy that will endure long after the marathon is over, reminding us all of the profound impact of love and remembrance.

Chris will be joining his wife, Natalie, on Team CKF for the NYC Marathon, running in honor of his brother-in-law, Nick. Diagnosed with PSC in 2024, Nick faced a daunting journey with the only hope being a liver transplant. With an ominous prognosis looming, the family embarked on a brave quest to find a living donor. Through countless social media appeals, a beacon of hope emerged—a childhood friend who turned out to be a perfect match. Eleven months later, Nick received the precious gift of life, and both he and his friend have recovered wonderfully.

Touched deeply by the experience, Chris has become acutely aware of the challenges many face in finding a transplant match and the scarcity of donors. He is determined to raise awareness and inspire others to make a life-changing difference by registering as donors.

Having conquered the Boston and Chicago Marathons, Chris and Natalie are now setting their sights on the NYC Marathon, eager to add another glorious chapter to their Abbott World Marathon Majors journey. Through running, they carry not just the spirit of competition, but a message of hope and compassion, inspiring all to consider the profound impact they can have on someone's life.

Hilary is embarking on the NYC Marathon with CKF as a living kidney donor. Her journey inspired by her father, who instilled in her a passion for donation through his regular blood donations during her childhood. From the moment she obtained her first driver's license, she embraced the opportunity to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor—recognizing it as a simple yet profound way to spread hope and save lives. Over the years, Hilary has donated over 11 gallons of blood and joined the national bone marrow registry, leading her to explore the possibility of living donation.

In 2020, in a remarkable act of generosity, she donated a kidney to a stranger, who has since become a cherished friend. By then, Hilary had already completed 3 marathons, and she conquered the Hartford Marathon in 2022. Her love for running, discovered in her mid-30s, is fueled not by speed but by joy and mental strength. She cherishes every moment, even from the back of the pack, and her passion extends to biking, hiking, kayaking, and snowshoeing—anything that embraces the beauty of the outdoors.

NYC will not just be a physical challenge for her, but an opportunity to advocate for donation and support CKF's mission, making every step even more meaningful. The motto “Live Life, Give Life” resonates deeply with Hilary, aligning seamlessly with her dedication to inspire and educate others about the power of donation.

Eline's journey is a testament to her dedication and passion for transforming lives. She completed her medical studies in the Netherlands, and is pursuing a PhD at the Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgery in Boston. Driven by the desire to make a profound impact, Eline dedicates her research to extending the preservation time of donated organs, thereby increasing the number of potential donors. Her work also focuses on enhancing organ quality, and minimizing post-surgery complications, all with the vision of improving long-term outcomes and enriching the lives of transplant recipients.

In the summer of 2025, Eline attended the World Transplant Congress, where she was deeply moved by Chris’s heartfelt story and CKF's mission to raise awareness. Her encounter with Chris reinforced her belief that while scientific advancements are crucial, they must be coupled with a societal shift towards greater organ, eye, and tissue donation.

With this conviction, Eline is determined to leverage her role in the transplant community to inspire and educate others. She aims to highlight the vital importance of not only registering as a donor, but also motivating friends and family to join this life-saving cause. Through her tireless efforts, Eline hopes to ignite a movement of compassion and generosity that will ripple through communities, ultimately saving and transforming countless lives.

The first time Lauren participated in CKF’s Summit for Life, she was not thrilled. Just 8 years old, she found herself trudging behind her siblings and parents, her little legs burning from the effort of climbing Aspen Mountain. When she finally reached the top, surrounded by a community united in a cause far greater than the climb itself, a profound shift began. What started as a reluctant family tradition, gradually blossomed into a transformative experience.

Lauren’s family, longtime friends of the Klugs, turned Summit for Life into a cherished yearly ritual. Whether volunteering or hiking, she awaited each year with excitement. She vividly remembers being inspired by the transplant recipients who climbed alongside her—organ, eye, and tissue recipients whose presence was a testament to resilience, courage, and second chances. Through her friendship with the Klugs, Lauren saw firsthand the life-changing impact of organ donation, most memorably when her family traveled to Vancouver to watch Chris in the 2010 Olympics.

Lauren loves stories where adversity meets the power of sport and the outdoors. This passion fuels her work as a videographer at Strava, where she tells stories of athletes who have endured hardships, and found strength through movement. Lauren moved to New York in June 2024, and is honored to weave her love for running into her new home, while representing an organization so deeply connected to her roots in Aspen.