DAVE MCGILLIVRAY - TEAM BIG HEART – 2019 BOSTON MARATHON
Young Jack Middlemiss is my inspiration - plain and simple. Having experienced a heart transplant, he is the toughest and strongest heart warrior I know. He and his family (Scott, Kate, Grace) have certainly been challenged and through a lot but somehow they have still maintained such a positive and giving back attitude. The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation has already done so much for so many in memory of Joe. Having now recently experienced my own “heart challenge”, I feel an even stronger obligation and desire to support their cause.
On April 15th, I will be attempting to run my 47th consecutive B.A.A. Boston Marathon (at night), only 6 months after having open heart, triple bypass surgery. It may not be my fastest or my easiest marathon, but it may be my most satisfying one, so, I’ll take it.
Your consideration of a contribution towards this my “comeback” run and to their cause and efforts is deeply appreciated. And, almost as importantly to me, Jack beat me in a race back in September and I am seeking revenge and out to get him in our next race!
In appreciation,
Dave McGillivray
JOSEPH MIDDLEMISS BIG HEART FOUNDATION wrote:
𝘼𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙅𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙥𝙝 𝙈𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙅𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙥𝙝 𝙈𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨 𝘽𝙞𝙜 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤n
Joseph Scott Middlemiss was born into this world on May 31, 2007 and was fighting for life from this very first breath. His fiery spirit and passionate desire to live every day to the fullest were ignited at the moment of birth and continued to blossom as he grew. Joseph was born with a rare cardiac condition known as cardiomyopathy. Moments after birth, a chest extra x-ray revealed the telltale sign of an extremely enlarged heart. Ironically, it was this enlarged heart that set him on a lifetime of medical struggles. At the same time, that BIG HEART symbolized all the love Joe was to emulate in his short lifetime.
Spreading love was something that Joseph did very well. It was HIS gift that seemed to be inborn and instinctive to him. Whether it was through a simple smile that was given to a stranger in passing, an offer to help a friend who was struggling, a hug and words of encouragement extended at just the right time, a song written and presented with the hope of lifting spirits, or other numerous offers of service, Joseph continually shared his love to open the hearts of family members, friends, and strangers, alike. On September 23, 2013, Joseph, who had been medically stable and thriving at the time, passed away very suddenly and earned his angel wings.
It is now our greatest desire to carry on Joe’s legacy by continuing to touch others’ lives and opening hearts just as our son did with such ease and perfection. As a result, we founded The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation.
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗥𝘂𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?
As a member of the Team Big Heart running team, you will contribute to and participate in the mission and goals of The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation.
The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation honors Joseph’s message of “All You Need is Love” by spreading kindness, empowering children, funding cardiomyopathy research, and supporting families dealing with pediatric cardiac conditions. The three main goals of the foundation are:
1. To expand The Joseph Middlemiss "All You Need is Love" Mission, fostering the spread and documentation of Random Acts of Kindness on local, national, and international fronts.
2. To educate children on the power of kindness by supporting the efforts of schools (creating and leading motivational assemblies, providing books and related resources), and by empowering students through scholarships for music and martial arts.
3. To contribute to research for and spread awareness of cardiomyopathy while providing financial, social, and emotional assistance to families impacted by these cardiac conditions.
