The Abby Mac Foundation was created to support families affected by a mitochondrial disease/Leigh’s Syndrome, by spreading awareness and promoting the inclusion of disabled children through sport, mainly through running. Our daughter, Abigail, age 14, has a terminal illness called Leigh’s Syndrome. She was diagnosed at ten months of age and was given a life expectancy of two years. To say we were devastated is an understatement. We watched as other parents attended their children’s sporting events and watched their children meet developmental milestones with envy. Fortunately, Abby is on an experimental drug and is thriving, but she uses a wheelchair and is non-verbal.
Running provides her with the ability to compete and to be included in something she loves. Her dad, Greg, knew he needed to focus his energy elsewhere besides grieving. In 2014, Abby and Greg (and her younger brother, Tomas) ran their first race together. In 2016, when Abby was five years old, they ran their first triathlon, the Pilgrimman Triathlon, in our hometown of Plymouth. They completed their first marathon in Greg’s family’s home city of Cork, Ireland. After that race, they were hooked and haven’t stopped competing together since.
The MacCurtain’s had an amazing relationship with Dick and Rick Hoyt and have participated in many races over the years with them both. This past year, Greg ran his 6th consecutive Boston Marathon. In 2020 and 2021, he was fortunate to push Abby in her Hoyt running chair along the course so that she could participate in the virtual marathon. Abby gives Greg a purpose to run, which she enjoys immensely.
