Westwood Man Running Two Marathons in a Week For Charity

A Westwood resident aims to raise $4,000 for a charity which funds research of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and helps familes dealing with the disorder.

Mark Brill has been fundraising for that charity, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy of Hackensack, for about four years through their Run For Our Sons program. This year, he will run marathons two Sundays in a row — The Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. October 27 and the New York City Marathon November 3. The races total 52.4 miles, the most Brill will have ever run in one effort, and the $4,000 fundraising goal will also be the most he has ever raised for the group.

Brill said he was inspired to help this particular cause because two of his wife's cousins were diagnosed with Duchenne and because of a journal written by the father of a boy who suffered from the disorder. He was struck by the similarities between that boy, who died earlier this year, and his own son.

"It puts life in perspective," Brill said. "These people inspire me to do more."

Duchenne is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in early childhood, according to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy. The disorder causes a breakdown of muscles because of a cellular mutation, leading most who suffer from it to die by their late 20s. There is currently no known cure.

"This is something I believe can be fixed if enough attention is given to it," Brill said.

To contribute to Brill's efforts, visit his fundraising website here.