Runner finds motivation from family and a Patriot

By Hayley Pierce

On August 10th, Kim Dunbar will fulfill a lifelong goal alongside one of her idols.

She’ll be running the Falmouth Road Race as part of Tedy’s Team, which is New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi’s foundation that supports the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.

Dunbar chose to run for Tedy’s Team not only because Bruschi is her favorite New England Patriot, but because in December 2007 her family had a scare that there might be something wrong with her mother’s heart.

“For a spilt second, life went from good to really, really frightening,” she said. “You can never know when a stroke or heart disease will hit someone you love. I’m sure Tedy Bruschi never thought it would affect him. So I am doing this to help protect the ones I love before it’s too late.”

In February 2005, Bruschi suffered a minor stroke at the age of 31, days following the team’s third Super Bowl victory. The Patriots star fully recovered and returned to the team in October of the following season. Bruschi set up his foundation to raise funds for stroke research, education, and advocacy programs.

“I consider myself lucky to have the opportunity to run as part of his team and to help him, his foundation and this very important cause,” said Dunbar.

While her mother is fine, Dunbar has a long road ahead ~ seven miles, to be exact. Running a race has always been an aspiration in the back of her mind. After two of her close friends recently completed marathons, she decided that there was no time like the present.

“A stroke can alter someone’s life forever, and sometimes even take it away,” Dunbar said. “I am not only running a race, I’m running for a reason. The money I raise will hopefully help save a life or two, which will make my sweat, and probably tears, worth it.”

If you would like to read more about the race or support Dunbar by donating, log on to her personal race webpage at tedysteam2008.kintera.org/falmouth/dunbar.