# @americanredcross on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DDzl-plJTWQ
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/72589231-americanredcross-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/0ea025724b.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-12-20T16:02:03.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** American Red Cross (@americanredcross) — https://gondola.cc/americanredcross

## Caption

For Jackie Speciale, running the NYCMarathon wasn’t just about crossing the finish line—it was about pushing her limits, honoring her family’s legacy of service, and raising money to help others in their darkest moments.

“I ran my first marathon in New York last month," she said. "I was inspired by my oldest son who is deployed overseas with the Army National Guard, facing his own challenges and dangers. On hard days, I pushed myself knowing that if my son can do something brave and challenging, so can I.”

For 13 years, Jackie has traveled locally and across the country to support people impacted by disasters, such as tornadoes, floods, home fires, wildfires, and more. With the Red Cross, she’s shown up to provide a listening ear, lend a helping hand, and let people know they’re not alone.

“As the oldest of five redheads, you could say I’ve been training for disaster response my whole life. But, really, I just enjoy being able to help people when they need it most. Serving others is rooted in my family, and my children have grown up to become Red Cross volunteers themselves. My oldest responded to fires and hosted blood drives before he decided to serve his country.”

Inspired by her son’s bravery and her own years of volunteering, Jackie set a bold new goal: to raise $1,000 for every year she’s volunteered with the Red Cross.

“When I looked back at my years of volunteering with the RedCrossIL and saw all of the places I have been and the people I have helped, I wanted to continue that impact by raising $1,000 for every year I have volunteered. So, I ran in the New York Marathon to represent Illinois and show that whether it’s Woodstock, IL or Woodstock, NY, we are all neighbors committed to helping each other during their darkest times. Every contribution, big and small, helped me get closer to my goal of $13,000.”

Jackie not only completed her first marathon but exceeded her goal, raising over $13,200 to support our mission. Her story is a testament to courage, dedication, and the power of giving back. Feeling inspired by Jackie’s story? Consider starting your own holiday fundraiser to make an impact, too.

#StoriesThatInspire

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## Tags

storiesthatinspire

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