Clifton Park Man to Run NYC Marathon in Memory of Mother

Running the New York City Marathon is no small feat. But for Brendan Barry, it’s been a saving grace, helping him to mourn his mother, Kathleen, who passed away from lung disease last September.

Kathleen McBride Barry grew up in Riverdale, and began raising her family in Long Island, before finally settling in Clifton Park, New York. She spent years teaching English at Our Lady of Loretto School in Hempstead, NY, and later became the editor of National Trade Publications. She loved the ocean, the Yankees, and was an active mother and grandmother to her sons and 4 grandchildren. So, when she started having trouble breathing standing up, her family became worried and sought help.

Diagnosed with COPD and Pulmonary Fibrosis at the age of 70, Kathleen began a painful journey with lung disease. When the help of a nighttime oxygen tank started to decline, a cardiologist diagnosed her with Cardio Pulmonary Hypertension, and things went from bad to worse.
“My mom had some guilt over being a long-time smoker, but the truth is no one deserves this devastating disease,” said Brendan. “During those last months, as things got worse and it got harder to deny what was going to happen, I shifted my focus to running. On those quiet runs I would thank the universe for giving me my mom, and just feel wonder at all she accomplished.”

As Kathleen’s care shifted from hospital to hospice, Brendan reached out to the American Lung Association about spots on its New York City Marathon charity team. He told his mom that he planned to run a marathon for her and in a brief moment of lucidity she thanked him. Kathleen passed away on December 16, 2018 at the age of 73. Not long after her passing the American Lung Association responded to Brendan’s inquiry and awarded him a spot on the team.

Brendan said, “I think I’m not only running this marathon for my mom or for me - though it’s been a God send for me to focus my energy on raising money for the American Lung Association. I think my whole family can benefit from it - since it gives us a real way to honor her. As the first anniversary of her death approaches, I’m hoping to enlist my family in a new tradition - perhaps a race every year in her memory to raise money for lung disease and help prevent others from going through what my mom went through. That thought and this training has helped me cope with my Mom’s death in such a positive way even though my heart is broken.”

“When we heard Brendan tell his mom’s story, we knew he had to run with us,” said Carla Sterling, Executive Director for the American Lung Association. “Lung disease doesn’t just impact the person with the diagnosis – it can impact entire families. We’re proud to have Brendan on our team, and we are honored to help bear Kathleen’s legacy by recommitting ourselves to funding more research and awareness for lung disease.”

Brendan currently lives in Clifton Park, New York and works for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Service. He will continue to root for the Yankees in his mom’s honor and is committed to raising funds and awareness for families dealing lung disease, as well as fighting for more research and new treatments for illnesses like COPD and pulmonary fibrosis.

He concluded, “My mom was my best friend and made everyone feel loved. Losing her in this way has been incredibly hard - and now I’m trying to focus on honoring her memory and helping others avoid the same fate.”

To donate to Brendan's effort in Kathleen memory, click here.