The past two years have been filled with hardship and trauma, but today, I stand before you with a heart that feels more alive and more connected to my soul than ever before. I am stronger than I was, and I’m ready to return to my true passion of running marathons! But this time, I’m running with a fire in my heart, fueled by the cause that first pushed me onto the marathon track: my mom and all the Palestinian people.

I miss my mom with every fiber of my being. The pain of what my Palestinian parents endured, alongside their families, weighs heavily on me. The injustice I’ve witnessed my people face, and the struggles they continue to endure are things I carry deep within my bones. It breaks my heart to think about the documented pain we see today, and then to reflect on what my parents went through, which went unnoticed, unrecorded, and unheard.

We are here for only a short time in this life, and I want to be remembered as the better version of myself; the version filled with strength, resilience, and pride as a Palestinian. Last year, I was completely burned out, overwhelmed by the weight of it all. But today, I stand proud of the decision I made to turn the page and start fresh. Moving and starting over felt like my last straw, but now I see it as my first step in a chapter that, Inshallah, will be filled with great things.

There is so much injustice in this world, and I believe that if each of us took on the responsibility of educating just one or two others about one or two things, we could create a ripple effect of goodness. For me, the injustice faced by Palestinians is my cause that I carry with me always. I will continue to speak out and raise awareness, no matter how difficult. This cause is what drives me forward; it fuels my strength, my determination to keep going.

Today is the day to make a difference with me. I’m running again in support of PCRF (Palestine Children’s Relief Fund), an organization that brings hope and a brighter future to children who have endured unimaginable hardships. Please consider supporting this cause as I strive to reach new heights in my 5th marathon for Palestine. Your support means the world and will never go unnoticed!

Don’t tell yourself, “This isn’t my business.” If you’re reading this, you have a role to play in helping those who need us most. Your support can change lives, starting with mine!