Knoxville, Tenn., father runs half marathon to raise awareness of sickle cell disease

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Ask someone why they run a marathon or half marathon, and you're likely to get a variety of answers. Some people are checking things off their bucket list again. For others, the desire to run may come from New Year's resolutions, but for first-time half marathoner James Harrison, the desire to run is personal – for his children. .

“What really drove me was Memorial Day weekend last year, they were both in the hospital. My son was in Nashville. My daughter was here in Knoxville. , they both had to have blood transfusions,” Harrison told WATE 6 On Your Side.

Harrison's son and daughter have each been diagnosed with sickle cell disease. The disease affects the flow of red blood cells and causes a very painful condition that can be improved by blood transfusions.

“As a parent and as a father, that's the only time you feel powerless. You can't do anything to ease their pain,” Harrison said.

That's when the light bulb went on for the father of two. Although he can't alleviate his children's pain, he wants to respect them and what they're going through by enduring the pain that comes with training for a half marathon.

“You get a little glimpse into what they're going through,” Harrison says. “That’s what drives me more than anything.”

Motivate him step by step to reach the goal line. At the same time, he is raising his awareness about the need for blood donation through the #OneDadCan movement. It stands for Commitment, Action and Networking.

“We have a goal of raising 10,000 donors. We can't do it with just people we know. So we need my network and our network of networks to make this happen,” Harrison said. told WATE.

This is a small request from a man on a mission to help not only his children but others in need of blood by putting his body on the line to get the message out on race day.

“That’s what keeps me going,” Harrison said. pain. So I can't let that temporary pain stop me. ”

To learn more about Harrison's journey to race day, check out his blog on the MEDIC website to learn more about donating blood and how you can help.