While many runners chase a personal best or the prestige of qualifying, Raleigh is running for something much bigger — to raise money and awareness for pediatric healthcare, inspired by a deeply personal family experience.

"I had already qualified for Boston," Raleigh said. "But after everything that happened with my sister, it felt like I had to do something more with it."

It started with a fall. Broderick’s younger sister, Eleri — then 15 — slipped on her way out the door, triggering months of medical uncertainty. What seemed like a simple injury escalated into hospital transfers, misdiagnoses and a birthday spent in a hospital bed.

"She broke her wrist first, and then slipped and landed on her back," Raleigh said. "At first they thought it was just a fractured vertebrae, but things kept getting worse. She wasn’t getting better."

Eventually, Eleri was transferred from Sparrow Hospital to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, where doctors could better address the complexities of her condition. The experience was both physically and emotionally exhausting for the Raleigh family — and it left a lasting impression on Broderick.

Broderick was supposed to run the Boston Marathon last year. He had already qualified, but an injury during training derailed his plans.

"I pushed too hard after the qualifying race and ended up with a stress reaction in my left shin," he said. "I was on crutches for a month. It was a big lesson in patience and preparation."

This year, Raleigh is training smarter. He’s balancing marathon prep with a full 16-credit course load and a part-time job at Playmakers. Logging 10 to 15 hours of training each week, he’s been meticulous about staying healthy — both physically and mentally.

But beyond the hours of running, Raleigh has faced another challenge: raising money.

Although he didn’t need to fundraise to qualify for the Boston Marathon, Raleigh chose to run for a cause — the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, the same place that cared for Eleri.

"I just wanted to use this opportunity to do some good," he said. "It started as a joke from my dad — 'You should run for your sister' — but then it really stuck with me."

Using the hospital’s online donation platform, Raleigh launched a fundraising page and began reaching out to friends, family, professors and even his boss at Playmakers. Still, gaining momentum hasn’t been easy.

"That’s probably been the hardest part — getting people to actually see this as something worth supporting," he said. "I realized I can’t do this alone. I need help."

Even with modest donations so far, Raleigh refuses to give up.

For him, pediatric healthcare is more than just a cause — it’s a personal commitment.

"Children shouldn’t have to suffer just because they can’t afford care," he said. "They’re the most vulnerable. They don’t have any control over their financial situation."

While Raleigh doesn’t expect to raise millions, he believes small, consistent efforts can still make a real impact.

Raleigh hopes his journey encourages fellow MSU students to recognize the influence they already have. 

"You don’t need a huge platform to make a difference," he said. "It can be something simple — reaching out to someone, supporting a cause, or even making someone’s day better."

In a community where students juggle academics, jobs and social lives, Raleigh stands as a testament to what it means to embrace responsibility with purpose.

"It’s about persistence," he said. "Even if I only help one person, it’s worth it."

As the Boston Marathon draws near, Raleigh isn’t focused on his finish time. He’s focused on the people cheering from the sidelines — and the ones who can’t. Whether he hits a personal record or not, he’s already crossed the finish line that matters most: turning pain into purpose.