On Monday April 15, 2013 I will be running my 10th Boston Marathon as a member of Team Eye and Ear in memory of my sister, Erin Sheehan Taggart. Erin passed away in June 2010 at the age of 49, just 3 months shy of her 50th birthday. At age 9, Erin lost sight in her left eye due to an accident in which she got glass in her eye. She received wonderful care as a child and throughout her life at Mass Eye and Ear. At the age of 40, Erin underwent surgery again at Mass Eye and Ear in which her left eye was removed and replaced with a prosthesis. Unless you knew her "eye" history, you would never have known that she had a prosthetic eye. The surgical result was remarkable.

Erin and I shared the same birthday. She was 2 years older than me. This past September I turned 50 (wow, still hard to believe), a birthday milestone Erin did not get to reach. To celebrate our shared birthdays as well as the life of my sister, I am running Boston to raise money for Mass Eye and Ear. Erin would be thrilled to know that the money I raise will benefit the Pediatric division of Mass Eye and Ear.

Any donation you can make will be greatly appreciated. I can hear Erin now: "Don't tell me that your running another marathon Siobhan, you should just relax and put your feet up." Well Erin, this one is for you!

Thank you,

Siobhan Sheehan

From Mass Eye and Ear:

At Mass. Eye and Ear, our focus is your quality of life.  We treat everything that has to do with the eyes, ears, nose, throat, head and neck - so that you and those you care about can get more out of the world around us.

Our physicians are more than just specialists; each is also a researcher and a teacher.  These doctors don't just apply the latest advances in medicine; they invent them.  Together with Mass. Eye and Ear scientists, they work tirelessly to understand the root causes of diseases that both take people's lives and rob too many others of their quality of life.

Every dollar raised makes it possible for Mass. Eye and Ear to excel in clinical care, research and medical education.  That, in turn, allows us to provide the finest specialty care to every person who comes through our door and to share our knowledge in order to help patients around the world.

Thank you for your support.