If Chris Cunningham needs a little motivation to complete his third ING New York City Marathon on Nov. 7, all he needs to do is think of Jack.

The three-and-a-half-year-old son of Chris’s friends Jeremy and Julia, Jack weighed only 4 pounds, 9 ounces at birth. He had low muscle tone and spent the first weeks of his life in the neonatal intensive care unit of a New York City hospital. Here, Jeremy and Julia learned that Jack had been born with a chromosomal anomaly which would cause him to have developmental delays.

Jeremy with his son Jack at YAI and Broadview Networks Central Park Challenge.

When Jack was only three months old, Jeremy and Julia reached out to the YAI Network for in-home therapy services that would support their son’s development. Jack soon began receiving physical, occupational and speech therapies.

As Chris watched his friend’s son grow, he saw first-hand the tremendous impact YAI services can have on individuals and families. As a result, Chris recognizes the value of these services for Jack and other children with special needs.
 
“When I found out Chris was running for YAI, I was so touched that I began to cry,” Julia said.

“I am passionate about running for YAI because of the benefits Jack has received from this organization,” said Chris. “It is proven that early intervention [like Jack’s] is imperative for children with special needs.”

Chris is no stranger to hard work. He is the CEO of appssavvy, a company he founded in 2007 that connects brand developers within social media platforms. And of course, he also trains diligently to prepare himself, both physically and mentally, for the 26.2 miles ahead of him.
 
“Running the marathon is hard work,” he added. “But it is nothing compared to the dedication Jack and his parents put in everyday.”

Each day, Jack continues to progress. He is learning to walk and curiously explores his parents’ New York City apartment. And while he hasn’t begun to talk yet, he is babbling more, and his parents are anxiously awaiting those first words.

“YAI has enhanced Jack’s life in so many ways,” Jeremy said. “They supported the development of his social skills and physical therapy helped Jack to stand and walk. YAI has made a huge a difference in our lives.”

Chris is among 10 runners on Team YAI raising critical funds and awareness for the YAI Network’s mission to create hope and opportunity for people with disabilities and their families. So far, Team YAI has raised $16,000 toward their $25,000 goal. The New York Road Runners estimate that 7,400 participants are running for charity and will raise $26 million. To date, this will mark the largest single-day fundraising event in New York City.

Jack and his parents will join other individuals and their families served by YAI, along with YAI Network staff at the Team YAI cheering section along the marathon route.

“You just have to believe you can do it. I don’t think about tomorrow or 10 years from now. I’m just so grateful for today because Jack is a happy, sweet, loving child,” said Julia, whose words seem to echo what every runner in the marathon will be thinking - particularly when fatigue sets in.

The YAI Network salutes Chris and the other members of Team YAI for taking on this tremendous 26.2 mile challenge to ensure that children and adults with developmental and learning disabilities have access to critical services that enhance their lives.