Vibrant Emotional Health is proud to support Deirdre Keane as she competes in the World Marathon Challenge:
"My name is Deirdre Keane and I am a pediatric ICU nurse practitioner at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. When I am not working, I am pursuing my MBA at NYU Stern School of Business...or running. I’ve ran 33 marathons and 1 ultra-marathon. I love using running to support philanthropic causes.
"My next adventure will take place next year. I am competing in the World Marathon Challenge, which is 7 marathons on the 7 continents in 7 consecutive days. The marathons are scheduled to tentatively take place in October 2022 (dates change due to COVID) in Novo (Antarctica), Cape Town (South Africa), Perth (Australia), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Madrid (Spain), Fortaleza (Brazil) and Miami (USA). I will run 186 miles in 168 hours.
"After my own struggles with depression and a family tragedy, I am using this challenge and experience as a platform to fundraise for mental health resources and suicide prevention through Vibrant Emotional Health.
"A little more about me...
"I was born and raised in NYC. I knew I wanted to work in healthcare after my father's battle with Melanoma. He passed away in 2002, when I was 13. I went to nursing school at Northeastern University in Boston and then continued my education at Columbia University, pursuing my master's and doctorate while working full time at night as a pediatric ICU nurse at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore. I now work as a pediatric ICU nurse practitioner at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where I take care of critically ill children with cancer. I am passionate about healthcare leadership and that is why I am currently pursuing my MBA at NYU Stern School of Business. At Stern, I have taken on many leadership roles. I am vice president of Student Government and Stern Healthcare Association and I am the editor-in-chief of the MBA newspaper, The Stern Opportunity.
"I started running in college. My dad was a huge marathon runner, running his last NYC Marathon the day before his final tumor resection. I wanted to run one marathon in his memory and discovered that not only did I love it, but I was good at it. Since then, I’ve started running for philanthropy.
"A little more about the World Marathon Challenge...
"The World Marathon Challenge is a logistical and physical challenge to run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days.
"In October 2022, competitors are scheduled to run the standard 26.2 mile marathon distance in Antarctica, Africa, Australia, Asia, Europe, South America and North America within 168 hours, or seven days. The clock starts when the first marathon begins in Antarctica.
"Despite the limited size of the race field, participants have raised millions of dollars for charity over the past few years. The unique nature of the event lends itself to being a great fundraising opportunity. I am hoping to raise money for valuable resources that Vibrant Emotional Health offers to people who need it during the most difficult and lowest points in their lives."
At Vibrant Emotional Health, we believe everyone can achieve emotional well being with dignity and respect, which is why our staff works tirelessly to deliver innovative, high-quality services and support when, where and how people need it. Together, we can transform lives and strengthen communities within New York and across the country.
Vibrant Emotional Health (formerly known as the Mental Health Association of New York City or MHA-NYC) is a not-for-profit organization that addresses mental health needs in New York City and across the nation. Vibrant Emotional Health manages programs in New York City for adults, parents and caregivers, and youth, including Family Resource Centers and Adolescent Skills Centers. Vibrant Emotional Health also administers local and national crisis and behavioral health technology services, including NYC Well and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Learn more about our program areas here.
For further questions, please contact the Development team at [email protected] or call (212) 614-6315.