Despite living with asthma since she was a child, Ariel never let it limit her ambitions. Growing up in New York with her three siblings, she remembers how it impacted her family's life. “My mom probably has endless stories of me using nebulizers when it was the most inconvenient time, like in the middle of a blackout," she recalled. "Honestly, I just remember different-colored inhalers, different nebulizers. You name it, I had it."
Thanks to her family's support and the help of her healthcare provider, her asthma was well-controlled by her teens. But she still was very aware of the hurdles many children face and felt passionate about showing them that anything was possible. This has led her to pursue a career in public health and to start her own DIY fundraising effort running marathons.
A Lifelong Connection to Asthma
Ariel was working as a public health associate for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Minnesota when she first discovered the American Lung Association's mission. The organization was one of her key partners in community education and asthma training initiatives. "Asthma has always been something that is a part of my life," she said. "So, working in the field professionally and then with the American Lung Association has just made sense for me.”
With her asthma well-controlled, Ariel decided she wanted to do more to raise awareness and push herself. Previously an alpine racer and coach, Ariel had always loved raising awareness about asthma management and how to not allow it to limit you among the younger kids on her team. She had also developed a love of running, which she did during the off-season to stay in shape. "Running became a really good way to release some stress and hold on to that happy energy I got from athletics," she explained.
So, though it might not seem like an obvious way for someone with asthma to raise awareness, she decided to combine her passions for a larger purpose. "Asthma has limited me for a long time. It has hindered me and created some bumps in the road," Ariel admitted. "But the main motivation for me is to prove to myself that 'this isn't going to stop me' and to hopefully inspire someone else."
Training for a Marathon with Asthma
Training for a marathon is demanding for anyone, and for Ariel, managing her asthma is just a part of the routine. She typically follows an 18-to-20-week marathon training plan and makes sure to keep her rescue inhaler handy. "I always take my inhaler before I run," she said. "And I have one in my work bag, one next to my desk and one in my running bag."
But a big part of the training is mental. "I have to remind myself this is fun, a weird type of fun, but I'm genuinely having a good time," she laughed. "Plus, I'm doing this for a great cause." She shares her progress on social media and in weekly emails to her family and friends to keep them in the loop.
Part of what strengthens her resolve is thinking back to that first marathon in Paris, where her journey began. "To this day I say the Paris Marathon was one of the best days of my life," she exclaimed. "It was electric. And it was so amazing to be a part of that community of 75,000 others who are all running for their own reasons."
Running into the Future
As Ariel prepares for another marathon, her story continues to inspire anyone who has ever wondered whether a health challenge might hold them back. She has now raced in Berlin and Paris, with London soon approaching, and has no plans to stop anytime soon. "Awareness starts with one person until it's a chain reaction. And I have found sharing my story and experiences with people all over the world has been really rewarding," she concluded.
Ariel has shown what perseverance can achieve and how creating a fundraising event around your passions can turn into life-long advocacy. Whether you're running your first mile, creating a community event or achieving a personal milestone, you can make a difference by supporting someone living with lung disease.
Consider starting your own American Lung Association DIY fundraiser today.
Blog last updated: October 8, 2026
