Thursday, August 27, 2026
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Good morning, friends and family.
Andy’s Army — One More Time Around the Course
It’s hard to believe that another Chicago Marathon is just around the corner. I know many of the runners are definitely thinking this!
This year feels different.
Last year, Andy was here. He was following the runners on the marathon app and he was among the other spectators along the race course hoping to get a glimpse of Andy’s Army 2025 team: Nikki, Alex, Meghan, and Mike as they were running by. Before the race, Andy helped ensure the 2025 Andy’s Army shirts were made and distributed in time, and he truly appreciated the incredible support that surrounded him and his battle with ALS.
This year, 15 runners (across the U.S., from Virginia to Washington State!) have joined the Andy’s Army marathon team to raise funds to find a cure ALS and to remember Andy.
We’re excited to share that to date, 46 Andy’s Army shirts have already been ordered. Each shirt purchase supports the ALS cause. What a tremendous response!
Thank you to everyone who has ordered a shirt, made a donation, or simply shared Andy’s story.
The requested donation amount is $25 for short sleeve shirts and $30 for long sleeve. Any donation above that is greatly appreciated by ALS United and others like Andy - facing this horrible disease. We’d love to have as many people as possible wearing Andy’s Army shirts on Marathon Sunday - October 11, 2026.
You don’t have to run.
You don’t have to be in Chicago.
You just have to be willing to wear a shirt and stand with Andy’s Army.
Andy spent his final 18 months showing us what perseverance looks like. ALS may have taken his physical abilities, but it never took his humor, curiosity, kindness, or his desire to connect with people. His daily blog gave all of us a window into his journey and reminded us to appreciate the people around us and make the most of the time we have.
Now, those of us who loved Andy get to carry that message forward.
So if you’ve been thinking about getting an Andy’s Army shirt, now is the time.
The deadline to order is September 1st. Click here to view the order form.
Make your donation(s) separately to the individual runner(s) below.
100% of the proceeds will be donated to ALS United Illinois!
Alex Snarski: secure.alsunitedchicago.org/goto/Alex…
Colin Kujan: secure.alsunitedchicago.org/goto/Coli…
David Nesterenko: secure.alsunitedchicago.org/goto/Davi…
David Truskowski: secure.alsunitedchicago.org/goto/Davi…
Kaitlyn Berrett: secure.alsunitedchicago.org/goto/Kait…
Krystal Lara: secure.alsunitedchicago.org/goto/Krys…
Maria Snarski : secure.alsunitedchicago.org/goto/Mari…
Matthew Truskowski: secure.alsunitedchicago.org/goto/Matt…
Meghan Snarski: secure.alsunitedchicago.org/goto/Megh…
Nicole Aarts: secure.alsunitedchicago.org/goto/Nico…
Nikki Brickhouse: secure.alsunitedchicago.org/goto/Nikk…
Patrick Otoole: secure.alsunitedchicago.org/goto/Patr…
Steve Snarski: secure.alsunitedchicago.org/goto/Stev…
Theresa Snarski: secure.alsunitedchicago.org/goto/Ther…
Zack Brickhouse: secure.alsunitedchicago.org/goto/Zack…
Let’s make Chicago Marathon Sunday another sea of Andy’s Army shirts—and another reminder that Andy’s story, his spirit, and his fight to find a cure for ALS continue. If you have questions or would like to send a photo wearing your Andy’s Army shirt, please contact: andysarmyshirts@gmail.com.
Thank you for keeping Andy in your hearts.
Andy’s Army lives on.
❤️ Tom & Marijean