Boston Marathon 2015 Runner Profile: Michael Lawrence, Natick

Michael Lawrence is spending his birthday running the 26.2 miles and hopefully finishing the Boston Marathon on April 20. He said there is no better way to spend his birthday.

Lawrence, who is from Natick, is running as part of Tedy’s Team, led by team captain Tedy Bruschi, as part of their 10th anniversary in honor of his wife and “stroke her,” Devon.

On the morning of Sept. 10, 2013, Devon woke up with a severe headache and was having difficulty processing simple thoughts, reads the press release. By 7:05 a.m., Devon was in the emergency room undergoing numerous tests to try and figure out what was going on. Later that day, doctors told Devon that she had suffered a stroke caused by a hole in her heart that had previously gone undetected.

Devon is now on her way to a full recovery and looking forward to celebrating with Michael on Boylston Street.

“Running the Boston Marathon for Tedy’s Team has given me the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for stroke research and education,” said Lawrence in the release. “I don’t want anyone to have to go through what my wife has; but if they do, the resources will be there for them to make the most educated decisions about their future.”

On Feb. 15, 2005, just weeks after winning his third Super Bowl and days after playing in the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, Tedy suffered a stroke at the age of 31, said the release. As he recovered, Tedy and his wife, Heidi, dedicated themselves to raising awareness of stroke and being advocates and inspiration for stroke survivors throughout Massachusetts, New England and all over the country.

Over the past decade, Tedy’s Team has raised more than $3 million for stroke research and educational programs with the support and dedication of close to 1,000 participants.

Support Lawrence and the team here.

This year’s team consists of 33 members on track to raise $500,000.

Are you running the Boston Marathon? We’d love to hear from you. Email charlene.arsenault@patch.com.