Senada after finishing The 2013 New York Marathon.
Although this is Senada Greca’s first time running for Team Red Cross, she has a long history with the organization.
Senada is originally from Albania where she lived during the Kosovo War in 1998-1999. She experienced firsthand the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross when thousands of Kosovan refugees came to her country.
Senada, who was in high school at the time, remembers volunteering at the Red Cross refugee shelters after school. She would visit with the refugees, many of whom were hospitalized, and helped provide food and clothing. Her family and some of her neighbors even welcomed refugees to stay with them in their homes. She and her family moved back to the United States in 1999 where she has remained since.
Senada is a serious marathoner and has competed in two other marathons in New York and New Hampshire. This is her first time running in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the first time visiting the city. Her training involves waking up at 5 a.m. and running 5-6 days a week to accomplish her goal of a 3:30 time or less in order to qualify for the Boston marathon.
But another important goal for Senada is raising money for an organization that has made such an impact in her life. “The Red Cross has influence in so many parts of the world. You can be assured that no matter how small the country or political influence, they will make an impact,” she said.
Senada has witnessed aspects of the Red Cross mission that many of us only hear about and her experiences have substantiated that this is a mission worth running for. Join Senada in running for Team Red Cross by registering here: http://rdcrss.org/18BPi6K.
Written by Kamryn McPike
American Red Cross of Illinois 
My idol leady!