For me, the marathon is a personal challenge, but for these people every minute is a matter of life or death.
For years the idea has been on my mind: running a marathon. I love running and want to reach that milestone. The date is set: May 24 at the Drenthe Running Festival. Preparations are in full swing: finding gaps in a busy schedule to put in the necessary kilometers, experimenting with sports nutrition, and following a strict training plan. And the most important question: what is a realistic finishing time?
Under 4 hours should be doable. 4 hours... and then the reality check hits: this is the same time it takes people from the remote Amazon region of Ecuador to reach Hospital San Miguel, run by the Quina Care foundation, in a medical emergency.
For me, the marathon is a personal challenge, but for these people every minute is a matter of life or death. After crossing the finish line I can relax, but the hospital is their lifeline! It depends on financial donations: without this hospital, the journey would be another 3 to 4 hours longer!
That is why I want to use my personal 4-hour struggle to draw attention to this forgotten group of people. Every minute I run symbolises the time people in the Amazon spend in mortal fear, pushing themselves to the limit to reach medical help. My effort is a way to make their struggle visible and generate support. Join in and donate. Your contribution, large or small, can save lives.
