One morning in late 2010, Kyle woke with swollen, painful eyes. He rushed to the ER and learned he had contracted a bacterial infection that left him with blurred vision for several weeks. That incident opened his eyes to the problem of vision loss – and made him decide to run the Boston Marathon for Perkins. “Treasuring my ability to see had never been something I actually thought about, until I had fear of my sight being taken away,” he says. Kyle, who works for an investment and financial services company in Boston, also believes that every challenge is a chance for personal or professional growth. “I see the number 26.2 as my next challenge,” he says. Support Kyle's Run for Perkins!

As a child, Chad visited his grandmother who had lost her sight to diabetes. He and his brothers would sit on her bed while she touched their faces, trying to guess who each of them were. “My grandmother’s inability to see created a long-lasting impact on my life,” he says. “Running the marathon for Perkins seemed like the perfect opportunity to become involved with an organization which provides education and support for those who are visually impaired.” Chad, a three-sport varsity athlete in high school, lives in South Boston and works for HallKeeen Management, a real estate development and management company. His two English Springer Spaniels (K.C. and Sammie) keep him company during his shorter-distance marathon training runs.  Support Chad's Run for Perkins!

Andrew may be the only person running the 2011 Boston Marathon who compares that grueling athletic feat to improvisational comedy. An actor and voiceover performer who has run nine previous marathons, Andrew can often be found performing improv comedy at various theaters in New York City. “Like marathons, strong improvisation stems from putting in the work long before the event,” he says. Like many of the Perkins team’s runners, Andrew has a personal connection to blindness. He records textbooks for the Recording For the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D) organization in New York. “Whether it is through running or my voice, I am eager to support educating the visually impaired community,” he says.   Support Andrew's Run for Perkins!

Kelly was a freshman in high school when she began volunteering at Perkins. “I embraced the opportunity to promote independence in the lives of students with visual impairments,” she says. The young volunteer was later hired by Perkins, and now serves as Supervisor of Outreach Short Courses. She sets up weekend and summer programs for public school students with visual impairments to learn daily living skills, participate in recreation activities and more. She’s running the marathon to be a “role model for my students” and inspire them to “reach their own goals and pursue an active lifestyle.” Kelly has completed several half-marathons, but this will be her first full marathon. “I’m thrilled to be running Boston,” she says.  Support Kelly's Run for Perkins!

For Jason, completing the Boston Marathon will be “a dream come true.” The Cambridge resident has run several half-marathons and one previous full marathon, but says, “Any marathon anywhere just isn’t the same as Boston.” Jason, who works with students as a campus safety officer at Pine Manor College, is running to raise money for Perkins because of his support for the blindness community. “For several years I have volunteered with the Cambridge chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts, working at their walkathons and other programs,” he says. “I am dedicating this race to all of the members I have met throughout my years of volunteering, as well as all my students, who are truly my inspiration.”   Support Jason's Run for Perkins!

Vision and visual impairments are a family matter for Patrick. His mother works as a nurse at the Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary. His father and grandfather were both opticians. And his son Thomas, now three, was born with a hemangioma tumor above his right eye. “If we had not acted swiftly, our doctor feels Thomas would have permanently lost sight in his right eye,” Patrick says. “I will be dedicating my run to all of these people.” Patrick, who lives in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, and works at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, lost 96 pounds over the past year while training for the marathon. “Running has become a major part of my daily life,” he says.  Support Patrick's Run for Perkins!

Talk about a coincidence. Desa, a high school English teacher, was teaching a class about the life of Helen Keller on the day she tried to register for the Boston Marathon. When the online registration closed before she could qualify, she decided to check the list of charity teams she could join. “The moment I saw Perkins I knew that this was kismet for me,” she says. “To know the miracles that Perkins has been performing for more than a century inspires me to raise money for this life-changing institution.” A resident of Santa Barbara, California, Desa has run numerous marathons and sprint triathlons. Her goal is to finish the Boston Marathon with “smiles, energy, and satisfaction.”  Support Desa's Run for Perkins!

A puppy made her do it. A few years ago, Amy raised a black Labrador retriever named Madrone for the non-profit organization Guide Dogs for the Blind. “It was a wonderful experience and helped me realize the need we have locally and throughout the country to help those with visual impairments,” she says. “The more we help, the more people with impairments can lead fulfilling lives.” Joining the Perkins team to run the Boston Marathon was a “perfect fit” for the avid runner, who’s completed 26 previous marathons, including three in Boston. Amy, a certified personal trainer and co-owner with her husband of two construction companies, will travel from Bellingham, Washington, to compete in the Boston Marathon.  Support Amy's Run for Perkins!

You won’t hear Jim complain about having to prepare for the Boston Marathon in chilly New England weather. He lives and trains in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and says, “Yes, it’s as cold as they say.” Nor will you hear him complain about the marathon’s distance. He completed his first triathlon last year, so he knows he can run 26.2 miles – and also swim 2.4 miles and bike 112 miles. Jim, who works in research and development for General Mills, is also a regular participant in charity fundraising events. “I’m excited to combine my passion for running with the charity effort for Perkins,” he says. “This is a great opportunity to make a difference.”   Support Jim's Run for Perkins!

Preparing to run the Boston Marathon is a journey for Robyn. “I want to make a difference,” she says. “I will be 39 when I cross the finish line in April and I want this journey to be as meaningful as the day of the race.” A longtime Perkins supporter, Robyn has attended several of the school’s galas and competed in several Vision 5K races. Now she’s ready to do more. “Finishing the marathon has been a dream of mine for many years,” she says. “To personally make a difference for the school while fulfilling a life-long dream is an accomplishment in itself.” Robyn works as an executive personal assistant at Triumvirate Environmental, a Somerville, Massachusetts-based environmental services firm.   Support Robyn's Run for Perkins!

Pamela is proof that the family that runs together stays together. Her brother, two sisters and father – who live in various parts of the country – meet a few times every year to run half-marathons together. Her 7-year-old daughter Haley moved out of the jogging stroller and participated in her first road race in October. This year, Pamela decided to put all that roadwork to good use. “I decided to combine my love of running with my charitable spirit and raise money to support the excellent programs at Perkins while running the Boston Marathon,” she says. A certified financial planner, Pamela works as a complex risk officer for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in Providence, Rhode Island.  Support Pam's Run for Perkins!

Steve has been running since childhood. Originally a track and field sprinter, he began running marathons in 2000 at age 40. To date, he has run more than 30 marathons, including 10 consecutive Boston Marathons. When running his 11th Boston Marathon this year, Steve hopes to do more than just raise funds for Perkins. “I want to also increase awareness and opportunity for the visually impaired,” he says. Steve, who works as an IT manager for Carlson Wagonlit Travel near Denver, Colorado, also has an offer for athletes who are blind. “I would like to partner with blind runners for running races and to climb Colorado mountains,” he says. When not running, Steve enjoys dancing and 4-dimensional geometry. Support Steve's Run for Perkins!

When Donna started running a few years ago, she ran out of breath after two and a half minutes. Now she’s ready to run 26.2 miles for Perkins. “I’ve been working with deaf and blind people for 15 years,” she says. “I enjoy my work and would like to see my fundraising money go to something I am passionate about.” Donna works for Community Systems Inc., a non-profit that provides services for people with disabilities. When the company launched a Healthy Lifestyle program, she was asked to coordinate it. Determined to “lead by example,” Donna joined three running groups. The effort paid off – in 2010 she ran 30 races. “I am totally hooked on running!” she says.  Support Donna's Run for Perkins!

For Renee, the road to the 2011 Boston Marathon began at the starting line of the 2010 Boston Marathon. “I was introduced to a visually impaired runner who was running the marathon with the help of two aides,” she says. “Meeting this runner had a huge impact on me. It was then I knew that I would like to run to benefit those who are visually impaired, specifically through Perkins.” Renee, who graduates next year from Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, with a Master’s degree in Information Technology, will have logged more than 700 training miles by race day. “When training in sub-zero temperatures, I laugh at how crazy I am for my love for running!” she says.  Support Renee's Run for Perkins!

Kerry’s connection to the Boston Marathon is both geographical and personal. She grew up near Hopkinton, Massachusetts, the starting point for the race, and says she’s “always wanted to run the Boston Marathon.” But although Kerry has run “a bunch” of 5-kilometer races, she’s never tackled the 26.2 miles of a marathon before. So why run one for Perkins? “When I was in high school I volunteered at Perkins, and fell in love with the organization ever since,” she explains. Kerry, a graduate of Boston College, works as a sales associate for Athenahealth, Inc., a Massachusetts-based healthcare services and software company. She will run the marathon with friends and hopes to finish in five hours and 30 minutes.  Support Kerry's Run for Perkins!

Even a pacemaker won’t stop Howard from running the 2011 Boston Marathon. For the past 15 years, he’s worked at a group home in Plymouth, Massachusetts, with four young adults who are legally blind and receive support from the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind – so he knows the importance of such services. The group home also has a direct connection to Perkins: one of the young people Howard works with borrows digital audio books from the school’s Braille & Talking Book Library. After getting a pacemaker in 2009, Howard joined the Gateway Running Club in Wareham and dedicated himself to getting into better physical condition. This is his second consecutive Boston Marathon with the Perkins Team.  Support Howard's Run for Perkins!

A close call with blindness inspired Lyndon to run the Boston Marathon. “I have a personal connection to visual impairment,” he says. “My son was born with a birth defect in his optic nerve, and for several years his vision was not correctable.” Fortunately, doctors were able to save his son’s vision. By running on the Perkins team, Lyndon says he hopes to help others “around the world who are blind or have a visual impairment.” A resident of Saginaw, Texas, Lyndon began running to get into better shape. Beside the health benefits, running gives Lyndon time to think about all that God has given him. “I am truly blessed to have a wonderful family,” he says.   Support Lyndon's Run for Perkins!

Mia – it’s the one word that explains why James is running the 2011 Boston Marathon. His daughter Mia, who will be three at the time of the race, has Atypical Retts Syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder. She was also recently diagnosed with Cortical Vision Impairment at the Low Vision Clinic at Perkins. “Mia has been lucky enough to receive services from Perkins and I am thrilled to be able to give back to the school,” James says. “If I get tired during a run, I think about Mia, and I think how lucky I am to be able to run.” Last year, James completed the Boston Marathon to raise money for the Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary.   Support James's Run for Perkins!

Lee Ann admits that running the Boston Marathon makes her “a bit nutty.” However, she’s willing to go a bit crazy for a good cause. “It is such an honor to run for Perkins,” she says. “They have helped so many people and changed so many lives. I am embracing that inspiration and using it as my motivation!” Lee Ann says she first experienced the excitement of the Boston Marathon four years ago when she moved to the area from Colorado. “I have always been an adventurous, active person and been an avid runner my whole life,” she says. “So I knew immediately that I wanted to take on the physical and mental challenge of running the Boston Marathon.”   Support Lee Ann's Run for Perkins