Running the Coast for a Cure

About the Book

Title: Running The Coast For A Cure

Author: Al DeCesaris

Genre: Nonfiction Memoir

Paperback: 366 pages

Non-fiction: Memoir

Published: April 9, 2016

The book is available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/dp/0692687599/

In 2014, Al DeCesaris set out on a 1,935-mile solo run from Lubec, Maine to Key Largo, Florida. He ran to bring hope to his 10-year-old niece Jenna who suffers with Sturge-Weber Syndrome, a rare and life-threatening neurological disorder. He ran to create awareness and raise funds for medical research so a cure can be found.

For three consecutive months, he battled the rigors of the road, endured numerous injuries, encountered wild animals, and narrowly escaped getting hit by more than a few reckless drivers. Yet, he also experienced the generosity of strangers, had heart-warming interactions with families affected by this devastating disorder, and came to realize - with purpose, determination, and belief - even the seemingly impossible can be achieved.

Running The Coast For A Cure is one man's journey to make a difference for his niece. Told with humor and warmth, Al candidly captures the adversity he faced and the joy he experienced as he ran close to a marathon a day through 14 states down the East Coast. His journey of love and hope will have you running with him, and leave you inspired.

Author Bio

For the past 10 years Al DeCesaris has volunteered his time and dedicated his efforts to fighting Sturge-Weber Syndrome, a rare and life-threatening neurological disorder that afflicts his young niece Jenna. Through charitable events, athletic endeavors, and his “For A Cure” books, he has created considerable awareness about the disorder and helped raise significant funds to further the efforts to find a cure.

CHARITABLE EVENTS:

Al’s crusade began not long after the birth of his niece. Recognizing the need and importance of raising funds for the research and treatment of Sturge-Weber Syndrome, he and his family organized a concert and auction fundraiser called Bands on the Bay. The fundraiser proved to be a huge success and motivated them to turn it into an annual event. Since its inception, Bands on the Bay has raised over $1,000,000. This money has directly supported the work of the Sturge-Weber Center at Kennedy Krieger Institute and helped fund research that led to the discovery of the cause of Sturge-Weber Syndrome.

ATHLETIC ENDEAVORS:

Even with the success of Bands on the Bay and the DeCesaris family’s contributions to this ground-breaking discovery, Al couldn’t help but think that there was more they could do to further the efforts to find a cure. More he could do.

In 2013, he set out on a solo cross-country bicycle journey in honor of Jenna. Despite great adversity, he biked over 3,000miles from Santa Monica, California to Ocean City, Maryland. Through his Crossing America For A Cure bike ride, he created awareness about Sturge-Weber Syndrome across the country, raised critical funds for medical research, and brought hope to his niece and countless others suffering with this devastating disorder.

In 2014, he took on another incredibly challenging endeavor, this time on foot. Running close to a marathon a day for three consecutive months, he logged 1,935 miles as he made his way from Lubec, Maine to Key Largo, Florida. Through his Running The Coast For A Cure charity run, he created awareness about Sturge-Weber Syndrome down the East Coast, raised additional funds for ongoing research, and inspired numerous individuals to join the fight against the disorder.

BOOKS:

After both his ride and his run, Al wrote books about his experiences on the road: the things he saw, the emotions he felt, the challenges he faced and of the extraordinary people he met along the way. His books about these athletic endeavors, Crossing America For A Cure and Running The Coast For A Cure, are honest, entertaining and, above all, inspirational.

Al’s “For A Cure” books are available for purchase on Amazon. To further the efforts to find a cure, Al is dedicating all profits from the sale of his books to Sturge-Weber research.

Book Excerpts

… on a day when Jenna’s struggles were front and center, my minor inconveniences were of little consequence, as was my discomfort and pain. The challenges I’ve faced during this run, although at times quite difficult, are only temporary. In contrast, the adversity Jenna and all those suffering with Sturge-Weber Syndrome have to deal with is ever present. That is why I run. That is why we must find a cure.