Lung Power Team Member:
Marc Billings

My name is Marc Billings and I am excited to be training for my first Chicago Marathon this year. The reasons I have for running extend beyond my personal battle with lung disease. I have had asthma since I was very young having developed it due to a bad lung infection. As a child I was hospitalized several times because of asthma and my participation was very restricted in physical activities. Any time the temperatures would drop below 50 degrees, I would have to wear a ski mask that covered most of my face. Even with these limitations, I was always pushing myself to be as "normal" as possible. I have always been interested in sports and with time, and the advances in treatment, I am less limited by this disease. Even though I have not grown out asthma (like many do), medication has made it so I am hardly restricted at all. Without organizations like the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago who fund research in treating lung diseases, my quality of life would be much lower.

In addition to my personal struggles with lung disease, I also have close family members with their own respiratory problems. My 11 year old nephew, Alex, was diagnosed with asthma several years ago. Luckily, he is thriving in sports, like swimming, and is able to control his asthma fairly well. My girlfriend, Allison, also has had close family members who have suffered from lung diseases. The effects are so far reaching it seems that everyone has a connection to lung disease. All of these reasons, and people, provide extra motivations to get up and do the long runs even when I don't feel like it!

Every dollar raised gets us one step closer to having our loved ones living longer, happier lives. I would hope that someday all people effected by lung disease will be able to do any physical activity they wish, including running marathons!