PHA Staff Member Runs Bank of America Chicago Marathon as Part of Team O2 breathe

This past Sunday, Oct. 11, PHA's PHCC Program Manager, Olivia Onyeador, ran the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, as a member of Team O2 breathe. She finished with an amazing time of 05:25:09.

Olivia (second from left) stopped midway to
grab a photo with the PHA Midwest Staff.

Olivia has always been a fighter. After sustaining multiple sports-related knee injuries, she has worked hard to get back to a healthy state: “In 2008, after my second (of three) knee surgeries, the doctors told me I might not be able to walk or have feeling in my right leg again because the nerve damage was so extensive.” After months of rehabilitation, she regained control of her leg and was eventually able to complete a half marathon a few years later.

When Olivia learned about Team O2 breathe’s participation in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, she believed that this event would be “the perfect chance to help the PH community through direct fundraising as well as my own physical efforts in a larger scale endurance event.” Team O2 breathe allows members of the PH community to participate in endurance events, such as a 5K, swim, triathlon, or one of the “charity partner events,” to raise funds and awareness for PH.

In preparation for the race, Olivia often thought of the strength of those she is helping at PHA. “Their drive embodies something a past sports coach (Brian Pensky, head coach of University of Tennessee Women’s Soccer) said to my team: ‘You are a part of something bigger than yourself.’ That mirrors my exact sentiments about PHA and the community we serve,” Olivia says. “The people surrounding me encourage me to push the limits because they never stop striving to surpass their own. I am doing this because PH patients have taught me what it means to be resilient.” 

Visit Olivia’s fundraising page to show her your support!