At Light Up Your Life PLUS, our philosophy has always been that choices should be intentional and improve everyday lives. But that dedication to making a difference extends far beyond the walls of our new Port Charlotte showroom.
Today, we are shifting the spotlight to a massive, inspiring journey happening behind the scenes. Monika Oberer is officially back in marathon training mode, and she’s running for a cause that is incredibly close to the heart of the entire LUYL family.
A Global Champion with One More Finish Line to Cross
Monika is no stranger to grueling miles. In 2024, she achieved the incredible feat of completing all 6 World Major Marathons—conquering Chicago, New York, Boston, London, Berlin, and Tokyo.
Just when she thought her major marathon days were complete, a new challenge arose: Sydney was officially added to the global lineup. And her biggest inspiration, a dear family friend named Grayson, gave her the ultimate push, telling her: “Monika, go run for me one more time!”
The Fight Against Duchenne
With just 7 weeks to get fully trained up, Monika and her faithful training partner, Woodford, are waking up in the early morning hours to log miles in the intense Florida heat. They are running under the banner of Team Grayson Takes on Sydney.
The mission is two-fold: cross the finish line in Australia, and raise vital awareness and funding to fight Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
What is Duchenne? It is a rare, progressive genetic disorder that affects approximately 1 in 3,500 to 5,000 newborn boys globally.
The Reality: While Grayson’s life and mobility become more challenging by the month, his spirit remains unbroken. He continues to keep a smile on his face and has even started volunteering twice a week at Mote Marine Laboratory.
How the Port Charlotte Community Can Help
The ultimate goal for this race is to raise $9,000.00 to help stop Duchenne in its tracks, and the team still has a way to go to reach the finish line.
Every single dollar brings us closer to a cure and honors Grayson’s incredible resilience. We invite our new Port Charlotte neighbors, designers, and friends to rally behind Monika and Team Grayson.
👟 Support the Journey
Want to help change a life? Click the link below to donate, share, and track the progress of Team Grayson as they take on Sydney!