18/07/2025
I’ve trained a lot of people over the years, but very few have left the kind of impression that Donald Fitzgerald has. He’s one of those salt-of-the-earth types—kind, consistent, generous. And now, he’s running his 26th marathon to raise $20,000 for something I knew shockingly little about: Diaper insecurity.
This will be the third marathon I’ve had the honor of helping coach Donald through, and I’ve never been prouder—not just of the athlete he is, but of the heart behind every mile he runs.
When Donald first told me about this cause, I listened. Then I learned. Then it hit me.
As a young dad, I remember the stress of just keeping enough diapers in the house. My wife and I were working hard, juggling everything, and even with two incomes—it wasn’t easy.
Now imagine that stress with no safety net. Imagine having to reuse diapers… or choosing between diapers and dinner.
Nearly 1 in 2 families in the U.S. with children under 4 experience diaper insecurity. That’s over 5 million kids.
And in Illinois alone, an estimated 450,000 children are affected.
This isn’t just a financial burden—it’s a health risk.
Without access to clean diapers, infants and toddlers face higher chances of:
• painful diaper rash
• urinary tract infections
• poor sleep
• and even developmental delays due to prolonged discomfort or stress
It’s one of the most preventable crises we rarely talk about.
Donald’s running the Chicago Marathon to raise funds for Diaper Depot, a nonprofit that collects and distributes diapers to families in need. Every dollar helps provide clean, dry, healthy care at the most fundamental stage of life.
💛 You can support by donating, sharing, or just learning more like did.
👉 https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/donald-fitzgerald
Let’s help Donald go the distance—and help babies stay clean, safe, and loved.
