Jonathan Negretti Running for Charity in World Marathon Challenge

Attorney to Run Seven Marathons on Seven Continents in Seven Days to Raise Awareness for Crohn’s and Colitis Disease

Jonathan Negretti, principal of Negretti & Associates, will be competing in the 2020 World Marathon Challenge, in which he will be running seven full marathons on seven continents in seven days.

Along the way, Negretti will be raising awareness and funds for Heather’s Mission, a nonprofit organization co-founded by his wife, Giana, to help those suffering from Crohn’s and Colitis Disease.

AZBigMedia.com reported that Negretti will be one of 50 race participants, but the only one with a disability — although he doesn’t see his condition as such. Negretti was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 20 years ago, requiring surgery that removed most of his large intestine. He has lived full-time with an ostomy bag ever since.

“Participating in the World Marathon Challenge is not only an epic personal challenge, but an incredible platform for me to raise awareness for Heather’s Mission,” Negretti told AZBigMedia.com. “My hope is to garner enough attention to make a difference in people’s lives and inspire others who are living with an ostomy.”

Negretti’s personal goal is to raise enough funds so that Heather’s Mission can purchase 1,000 Awesome Ollie teddy bears, which are distributed to patients who undergo ostomy surgeries. Negretti will take an Awesome Ollie bear around the globe with him on the World Marathon Challenge.

Races will start on Feb. 6, 2020, on the ice runway of Novolazarevskaya Station, Antarctica. Other marathons are scheduled for Cape Town, South Africa; Perth, Australia; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Madrid, Spain; Santiago, Chile; and South Beach, Miami.

To learn more about Heather’s Mission, visit heathermission.org.