National Braille Press Announces 2025 Boston Marathon® Team

National Braille Press (NBP) has announced its team of six runners in the 129th Boston Marathon® presented by Bank of America who are raising money to support braille literacy. NBP is also a part of the Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program and received five bibs for the 2025 Boston Marathon®

Kyle Coffey, of Mobile, Alabama, qualified on his own and is returning after running in 2016 for NBP. The runners are supporting NBP’s mission to provide braille materials to blind and visually impaired children and adults. A book in braille costs three times more to produce than a book in print does. The funds that are raised through the Boston Marathon® team help maintain access and equality to braille materials for the blind and visually impaired. The 2025 National Braille Press Boston Marathon® runners are:
• Jackson Cavallerano, Boston, MA
• Kelsey Farraher, Westford, MA
• Michelle Holleb, Boulder, CO
• Vanessa Lugo, Doral, FL
• Elizabeth Winking, Newburyport, MA
• Kyle Coffey, Mobile, AL (Qualified Runner)

About the Runners
Jackson Cavallerano of Boston, MA, grew up in Wellesley and has been involved with NBP since he was a young child. His father, Chris Cavallerano, was the first NBP Boston Marathon® charity runner in 2012 and has been a board member and trustee for many years. After being a high school and college athlete, Jackson is excited to have a reason to train and share his experience with others. He is always involved with his community and working on various volunteer projects and is especially excited to run for NBP. He says, “Over the years I’ve seen the incredible work that the team at NBP provided to promote braille literacy and advocate for the visual impaired.” Jackson’s fundraising page link.

Kelsey Farraher of Westford, MA, has always dreamed of participating in the Boston Marathon®, and now her dream is becoming reality. She recently just launched her own HVAC/R Mechanical Contracting company. Farraher’s two nephews have Stargardt disease, a rare genetic eye disease, which has made her family become deeply aware of the challenges visually impaired children face. She says, “I am thankful for the community and programs that NBP brings to my nephews and hope for longevity of their services.” Kelsey’s fundraising page link.

Michelle Holleb of Boulder, CO, is an avid runner and world traveler who set a goal of running all six world marathon majors. Throughout the past ten years, she has run marathons in Chicago, New York, Berlin, London and Tokyo. She is thrilled that Boston will be her final stop in her world marathon journey. Thirteen years ago, Holleb faced a near death experience while running when she went into anaphylaxis. After meeting with doctors, she was able to get back to running with specific modifications. Since then, she has been able to run all over the world completing eight full marathons, 16 half marathons and many short distance races. She is running for NBP because, “Literacy is a fundamental right and as needs and technology shift, it’s important to continue building awareness and support of blind progress.” Michelle’s fundraising page link.

Vanessa Lugo of Doral, FL, is originally from Venezuela and the COO of Ocean Bank in Florida. She began her transformative running experience six years ago to improve her health and it has now turned into her passion. Just before her first marathon, she was involved in a serious bike accident but was still able to run alongside her dad. She has friends in her running community who are visually impaired who have greatly impacted her life. Vanessa says, “In my running group, there is a visually impaired person who has taught me so much.” Vanessa’s fundraising page link.

Elizabeth Winking of Newburyport, MA, started running in college to reduce stress and spend time outdoors. Since then, running has become more about community for her. Winking is a part of a moms running group in Newburyport, MA, where she has met an amazing group of women through running and looks forward to her early morning runs because of them. The running community brings people together and has had a positive impact on her life. As a former elementary educator, she is thrilled to be running for NBP. Elizabeth believes, “Books open up a whole new world and everyone should have the ability and access to read books.” Elizabeth’s fundraising page link.
Kyle Coffey (Qualified Runner)

The qualified athlete joining this year’s team is Kyle Coffey of Mobile, Alabama. He was part of the NBP team in 2016 and qualified to run again this year and is choosing to raise money for National Braille Press again as well. Coffey is passionate about making a meaningful impact in the lives of those in need, which is why he is so excited to raise funds for a cause that is close to his heart. “Together, we can help ensure that everyone has access to the tools they need to thrive,” says Coffey. He is especially looking forward to running the race to fund materials, resources, programs, and support for NBP and the blind and visually impaired community. Kyle’s fundraising page link

About National Braille Press
National Braille Press is a non-profit braille publisher and producer of braille products. NBP creates products and programs to support braille and tactile literacy in the blind community and to provide access to information that empower blind people to actively engage in work, family, and community. For more information visit www.nbp.org