Smithtown native and all around Super Woman, Joelle Garguilo will run her first NYC Marathon on Sunday. The NBC reporter gave birth to a beautiful little girl just 16 months ago and decided to get back into shape with one incredible goal, to complete the 2016 TCS NYC Marathon. Joelle set the goal to train and complete the Marathon, in dedication of everyone out there who has ever been told they could not do something. The new mother and full time reporter accredits her training and preparations to her cousin, Liz Boylan and one very special foundation.
While covering The Garden of Dreams Foundation for NBC, Joelle fell in love with some extraordinary kids. Every child in the program has faced heartbreaking obstacles, from Cancer and terminal illness to homelessness, torture and extreme poverty. She knew that she could make each mile matter by fundraising for the Garden of Dreams Foundation. Joelle has raised $3,143 to date to help the Non-Profit Foundation.
“They are what gets me up at the crack of dawn to train every morning. When I think I can’t take another step, I think of Ngawang, a Tibetan refugee who was electrocuted in India and as a result, had his arms amputated. I think of Ahmed, who lost his sight after he was struck by a mortar in Iraq and Stephanie, a pint sized dancer who is kicking cancer’s butt!”
Joelle credits her Cousin, Liz Boylan, who is also running the 2016 TCS New York City Marathon, as the one who is responsible for accomplishing her training for this incredible feat. Together the twosome helped one another through running at 5:30 AM four times a week. They went from trekking 1.5 Miles a day to 20 Miles, following a strict running program to successfully complete the 26.2 mile course this Sunday. This will be the first Marathon either have ever attempted.
Liz Boylan has raised $3100 for Team for Kids, which provides critical services to the New York Road Runners Youth Programs to help combat childhood obesity, empower youth development through running and character-building programs across the country. To donate to Team for Kids, Visit Liz Boylan’s fundraising Page.
Donations are still being accepted on Joelle’s fundraising Page. All who wish to help Joelle make “miles matter” can donate to the Garden of Dreams Foundation by clicking Here.
The Garden of Dreams Foundation, a non-profit organization, partners with The Madison Square Garden Company and MSG Networks Inc. to make the dreams of remarkable children, facing obstacles, come true. The Foundation collaborates with 25 partner organizations throughout the tri-state area, from hospitals, wish organizations and community-based organizations, to deliver extraordinary wishes to extraordinary kids, facing challenges such as homelessness, extreme poverty, illness and foster care.
To Track Joelle and Liz during the 2016 TCS New York City Marathon, download the Tata Consultancy Services Runners tracking App Here or visit: tcsnycmarathon.org