When Jay turned 50, he made a decision. After years of putting his health on the back burner, he wanted to focus on himself again. He laced up his running shoes and started running for the first time in nearly 15 years.
"It was slow at first," Jay said. "But my wife encouraged me, and my children kept me honest, and friends and colleagues kept asking how it was going, so I kept at it."
What started as a commitment to better health soon rekindled a dream he thought he had left behind. For years, running the New York City Marathon had been on Jay's bucket list. At one point, he had resigned himself to the idea that it probably wasn't going to happen. By the time he decided to pursue it, all the traditional ways of getting into the race had closed. The lottery was over, and qualifying on time wasn't realistic.
"There was really only one path left," he said, "joining a charity team."
As he explored different organizations, Jay knew he wanted to run for a cause that genuinely meant something to him.
"I didn't want to choose just any charity," he explained. "I wanted a real connection."
That connection led him to Blood Cancer United Team In Training (TNT).
When Jay received a call that a spot might be available, everything seemed to fall into place.
"It's amazing because this was probably the only organization I had a real connection to," he said. "Maybe it was meant to be."
That connection began decades earlier with his grandfather, Joey. Growing up in Montreal, Jay spent countless hours with his grandfather. A constant presence throughout Jay’s childhood, Joey was the one who took him to the movies, brought him on his first trip to New York City, and welcomed him for weekend sleepovers.
"I don't want to say he raised me, because that's an exaggeration, but he was that father figure," Jay said. "He spent quality time with me. When I went away to summer camp, he'd send me a letter every single day."
More than anything, Joey taught him values that still guide his life today.
"He taught me to be kind, to have empathy, and to value family and friends above everything."
Joey was diagnosed with leukemia, and although he has since passed away, his impact continues to reach far beyond his family. As an adult, Jay has encountered countless stories that reveal just how many lives his grandfather touched. From acquaintances who remember his kindness to an unexpected connection with a colleague whose family knew Joey years earlier, the stories continue to surface.
"People don't just have fond memories of him," Jay said. "It's amazing how often I meet someone who has a story about my grandfather."
Now, every training run serves as a tribute to the man who shaped him.
"Running for this cause is my way of honoring him."
As marathon day approaches, Jay reflects not only on the miles he's logged, but on what the journey has taught him about himself. There was a time when he genuinely believed the marathon was out of reach.
"I didn't think I could do this," he said. "I really didn't."
But each training run has challenged that belief. What once seemed impossible now feels achievable.
"Running is truly mind over matter in many cases," he said. "Even at double the age of when I first thought about running a marathon, I'm actually doing better than I expected."
While the finish line still lies ahead, Jay has already accomplished something meaningful. He proved that it's never too late to chase a goal, and he found a way to honor someone who meant the world to him along the way. For Jay, the New York City Marathon is more than a race. It's a tribute to his grandfather. A celebration of perseverance. And a reminder that some dreams are worth revisiting, no matter how many years have passed.
Jay
Family member, supporter, donor
