Runner Spotlight: Winshell Laguerre

March 2008

From Volunteer to Marathon Runner, Winshell Laguerre Stays
Connected to the Cause

Until this year, Winshell Laguerre of Brockton, MA, was a star volunteer for the Run for Research® team. From passing out jelly beans and Gatorade on long training runs to cheering loudly for runners on Marathon Monday, Winshell has been an integral part of the American Liver Foundation. In his six years as a volunteer, Winshell witnessed many people accomplishing the great feat of running a marathon and raising money for liver disease. He says that each and every one of these runners inspired him to join the 2008 Run for Research® (RFR) team and attempt to run his first marathon.

Success in his human resources career, his alter ego as a disc jockey on the weekends and his volunteer opportunities, satisfied Winshell’s passions for a long time. Now that he has added running to the mix, Winshell says that he is happier than ever. Not only does he love to train with the RFR team on Saturday mornings, the rookie has also altered his eating habits and added a variety of cardiovascular activities to his daily routine. His new healthy attitude, coupled with a stress relieving exercise regime, has given Winshell a new outlook on his future.

Not only does will he raise money to fight liver disease, Winshell is a part of the RFR Patient Match Program. His match, three year-old Caden Hughes Thompson of Tennessee, was born with biliary atresia and had a lifesaving liver transplant in April 2006. Caden is the youngest of three Thompson children and is doing well as of today. Winshell says that Caden’s story is the inspiration for his efforts. In addition to training for a marathon and a letter writing campaign to raise funds, Winshell is planning a “jeans day” at his workplace and a “Liver Idol” karaoke for his friends and fellow team members.

Winshell is the first one in his family to run a marathon and says that his parents and siblings will be at the 17-mile Liver Team cheering section to help him make those last 9 miles to the finish line. He says that his experience on the other side of the RFR team has taught him a lot about his own resilience and goals. He encourages EVERYONE to give it a try, at least once. If Winshell wants to take a break from running at any time, there will always be a volunteer spot waiting for him on the team!