Gun violence has stolen too many futures in Chicago, and I know this pain personally. When I was 18, I lost one of my greatest friends, Alexandria Burgos, to a senseless act of gun violence. She was kind, full of life, and dreamed of becoming a social worker to help others. She never got that chance. Losing her devastated me, but it also changed my path—I switched my major from finance to social work so I could continue the work she never got to do.

Now, as a therapist and advocate, I’m running in the Race Against Gun Violence to honor her memory, raise awareness, and support Centro Sanar, an organization dedicated to providing accessible mental health services to those affected by trauma and violence.

Gun violence shouldn’t be a normal part of our city’s story. Too many children and young people never get to live out their dreams. With this race, I’m not just running—I’m fighting for healing, for justice, and for a future where no one has to experience this kind of loss.

Your donation supports this mission, providing mental health resources to those who need it most.

Let’s run, heal, and create change together.

Learn more about Centro Sanar here: https://www.centrosanar.org/