Earlier this year, my dad had a nearly fatal brain aneurism, followed by a hemorrhagic stroke that left him paralyzed on the left side of his body.

For just about anybody, this would have been a heartbreaking diagnosis, and to be sure, it was for him and everyone that knows him. 

But my dad isn't one to give up. He started on rehab as soon as he could, doing as much as 8 hours a day to get back movement in his legs and arms. By the time he was discharged, he could move his arm and hand - and was able to take assisted steps. 

My dad has a long way to go before he can get back to doing the things he loves - but he's the hardest working person I know, so I know he'll be back to building the tallest buildings in Charlotte, North Carolina, riding his Harley and playing fetch with his dog Casey soon. 

But watching and supporting him as he works so hard to make the most of a bad situation has been a true inspiration to me. That's a big part of why I'm running the London Marathon this year, and raising money for the Stroke Association. With your help, I can help more people rebuild after a stroke, from physical and speech therapy to research. 

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE: Your donation will now come with a gift! IF you give more than $25 and are local to NYC, Columbia, SC; southwest Virginia or Connecticut, I'll give you a beer with a custom - very Harley-Davidson worthy label. For $40 or more, I'll ship outside those areas. $100 or more and you get a bundle. So what are you waiting for?!

Thanks for reading and (hopefully) giving, and I hope you give and stay updated on my training and my dad's recovery!

More about the Stroke Organization

The Stroke Association are the UK's leading stroke charity, delivering amazing, life-changing support to over 70,000 stroke survivors and their families each year. Without people raising funds for the Stroke Association they could not provide the support and research that they do. Your donations are so important to rebuilding lives after stroke. Where your support goes:- £80 could allow a a stroke survivor to attend a six week communication computer course- £199 could pay for one hour of Helpline activity- £310 could pay for the initial training and expenses of a befriending volunteer- £1,685 could pay for a fitness coach to provide stroke specific exercise rehabilitation- £40,000 funds a Lectureship Award for stroke doctor, nurse, therapist or scientist for a year- £450,000 fully funds a Priority Programme Award in haemorrhagic stroke, vascular dementia and stroke, or the psychological and cognitive impact of stroke, which would run over the course of 5 years.