Run to help don't interrupt breathing. Maria Pomazan

My name is Maria, I'm 32, and I have just run five kilometers without stopping for the first time in my life. My little record was witnessed only by the stadium next to the house so far. But at the beginning of the year I could barely overcome 500 meters and couldn’t even dare for more. Running is not for me, I have believed in this mantra since I was a child.

And today I have five kilometers of pure running. I know by now that I can do almost everything. On October 9 I’m going to cover the five-kilometer distance on my first marathon, Wizz Air City Marathon 2016 in Kiev. Maybe the goal is not very ambitious, but next year I'll try to run 10 km, then — the semi-marathon distance.

Nothing can be done in one fell swoop, but gradually, in small steps, great things become achievable. So I brought myself to another venture. As part of this competition the "Fundraising-Marathon 2016. Autumn" is held, and I asked to join the team of one of my favorite funds, "Open Palms", as a fundraiser. It is another first time in my life.

The goal is simple and concrete: three kits of reagents for diagnosing Cystic Fibrosis are desperately needed for Dnipropetrovsk State Childrens Hospital. The necessary amount is 13,230 UAH. Not so much to help the children with severe lungs diseases breathe. It is not that much to ask so children with severe lung damage could actually breathe. The earlier stage Cystic Fibrosis diagnosed at the better prognosis for the child. This condition is manageable and patients could live with it for years but without the right treatment it can lead to the sudden death. The child affected by this condition becomes exhausted, incapable to digest food and suffocate due to the lung failure.

I had serious suffocation only once in life. It was 10 years ago, but I still remember what a terrifying, painful, desperate experience it was, when you collect all your courage and strength to breathe - and nothing you can do. I want nobody else to experience the same. But children with cystic fibrosis and other pulmonary diseases go through it regularly. Even thinking about that is almost unbearable. What can be done? We cannot solve the problem completely so far. But it is possible to contribute to making at least someone’s life easier and less hurtful. So, tomorrow I'll go to the training. And the day after tomorrow too. Every day up to the marathon, I promise to tell you my own story of training, overcoming and joy. Maybe it will inspire or support some of you on your way. And I, in turn, ask the support from you for this one step to provide with air those who need it so much.