At the YOU GOT THIS, KID! Leadership Foundation, we believe in elevating people who use their lives, voices, and gifts to make the world better for those facing adversity.
That’s why we’re proud to sponsor Marion Jones with a $1,000 contribution toward her 2026 Boston Marathon run as she fundraises for Lahey Hospital, which helped rebuild her life after neuromyelitis optica (NMO).
Marion’s story reflects exactly what our mission is all about:
resilience, leadership through service, and using one’s lived experience to create a positive impact on autoimmune warriors everywhere.
From Diagnosis to Determination
In November 2020, while the world was navigating a global shutdown, Marion was facing a crisis of her own.
Without warning, she lost the ability to walk. Her body had been attacked by neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a rare autoimmune disease that targets the spinal cord and optic nerves and is often mistaken for multiple sclerosis.
Hospitals were overwhelmed. Answers were hard to come by. Life felt like it had fractured overnight.
But Marion found something powerful in the rubble: a path forward anchored in gratitude, not grief.
“Gratitude became my go-to instead of grieving the life I had before.”
With the support of her care team at Lahey Hospital, Marion began the long process of learning to walk again. What started with 30 seconds of movement would eventually launch her into a global marathon journey—one mile, one milestone at a time.
Rebuilding Strength: One Small Step at a Time
Marion didn’t set out to run 26.2 miles. She set out to survive. To heal. To trust her body again.
But each tiny victory added up.
A minute became five.
A mile became three.
Three miles became a training plan.
And soon, she was toeing the start lines of the world’s biggest races—New York, Chicago, London, and Berlin—with Tokyo and Boston on deck for 2026.
Her mantra?
“Training is starting with small steps. You take it in increments. You go on this journey with your body.”
Marion’s marathons aren’t just physical milestones—they are acts of advocacy. Every mile she runs raises awareness for NMO and honors people still navigating their own diagnoses.
Why We’re Supporting Marion
Marion is fundraising for Lahey Hospital deeply tied to her recovery. Her Boston Marathon run will directly support this institution, so other patients can receive the same life-changing care she did.
At the YOU GOT THIS, KID! Foundation, we champion leaders who use their challenges as fuel to lift others.
Marion embodies this spirit in every area of her life—from her career in workforce development to her advocacy for chronic illness visibility to her upcoming 2026 book.
Our $1,000 sponsorship is more than a donation.
It is a message:
We see you. We believe in you.
We’re cheering for every mile ahead.
A Leader for the Rare Disease Community
Beyond running, Marion is a dedicated advocate for people living with rare and autoimmune diseases. She speaks openly about the emotional landscape of chronic illness—the grief, the rebuilding, and the courage it takes to create a new version of your life.
“I had to trust that something better was awaiting me after my diagnosis.”
Her presence in the Abbott World Marathon Majors is not just about finishing races; it’s about showing up visibly in spaces where chronic illness is often invisible.
And in doing so, she gives others permission to dream big again.
How Marion’s Story Reflects the YGTK Mission
Our foundation exists to empower young leaders, elevate voices making a difference, and support those who turn adversity into service. Marion does all three:
- Leadership: Using her platform to advocate for rare disease awareness
- Service: Fundraising for hospitals supporting autoimmune and NMO patients
- Impact: Inspiring warriors who are redefining what their lives can look like post-diagnosis
Her journey reminds us that leadership is not about titles or awards—it’s about choosing hope, choosing community, and choosing to show up even when the odds say you shouldn’t.
Celebrate Marion, Support Her Mission
Marion’s Boston Marathon run is a chance for all of us to rally behind someone who embodies Invisible Strength in action.
You can support her marathon journey and NMO awareness efforts by donating to her Boston Marathon fundraiser benefiting Lahey Hospital.
Every share, every dollar, and every message of encouragement fuels her mission—and sends hope to the millions of autoimmune warriors who need it.
Thank You, Marion
Thank you for using your voice, your miles, and your story to uplift the rare disease and autoimmune communities. Thank you for showing that strength is not the absence of struggle—but the courage to rise, rebuild, and reach back to help others do the same.
From everyone at the YOU GOT THIS, KID! Leadership Foundation:
We’re behind you, mile after mile.
You’ve got this, Marion.
