Westwood Native Running for Liver Disease in Boston Marathon

March is coming to a close, which means runners in this year's Boston Marathon, are in their final stages of training for the annual event that kicks off on Monday, April 16. 

One of those competing is Heather Poreda, a 2003 graduate of , who will be running on the American Liver Foundation's "Run for Research" team. 

"This is my second marathon," Poreda said. "I did one about three years ago, but it's my first time doing the Boston Marathon. I'm very excited. We just finished the 21-mile run last weekend, and now we're in this tapering period in the last three weeks [before the race]."

Poreda, a graduate student in Boston, was recruited to the team by a mutual friend who's father is battling liver disease. 

"I've taken care of a lot of patients with liver diseases, so it was a cause I felt strongly about," said Poreda, who is also a  a pediatric nurse. "I am running in all of their honors and their families who show incredible strength and determination every day."

To help fundraising efforts for the team, Poreda is hosting an event this Friday, March 30, from 6-10 p.m. at the Landsdowne Pub in Boston. 

The event will include a raffle of Red Sox and Bruins ticekts, as well as gift certificates. 

"It's basically a fun event to help us raise money," she said.