For many, the TCS NYC Marathon is the best day in New York. It’s a day when runners from every background and community share the same streets, the same energy, and the same finish line. For Amy Cohen, a 29-year-old runner who grew up in Houston, this year’s marathon represents something even greater: defying the odds of sickle cell thalassemia and proving that no dream is out of reach.
Diagnosed as a child, Amy grew up with the constant reminders of what she “shouldn’t” do. For her parents, sickle cell was a death sentence. Those familiar with the blood disorder know that doctors advise that strenuous activity could trigger a crisis. A sickle cell crisis is a life-threatening event that causes excruciating pain all over the body and makes it hard to breathe. In our interview (above) Amy says: “When you have this disease, it’s so isolating because you’re always in the hospital and your friends don’t understand.”
Despite having numerous sickle cell crises throughout her freshman year, Amy still dreamed big, setting huge goals and not letting her health concerns cloud her vision. Amy and her mother used to watch The Oprah Winfrey Show every day, and an episode that stuck with her was when Oprah reflected on her time preparing for the New York City Marathon. Amy found it cool to see a woman who looked like her running the marathon and told herself that she was going to do it one day.
When she entered adulthood, Amy linked up with a haematologist, who is a specialist doctor for blood and bone marrow disorders like sickle cell. Determined to take control of her body and her narrative, she began working with a specialist trainer who understood the unique challenges of sickle cell. She would first take part in the Boston Half Marathon before finally setting her sights on the TCS New York City Marathon.
That journey has now led her to one of the most iconic races in the world, organized by the New York Road Runners (NYRR), the preeminent running non-profit behind more than 60 adult and youth races annually, including the NYC Marathon. The New York City Marathon is unique because the first finisher and the final finisher get to run the same course on the same day. There are no true winners or losers in this event.
This year, Amy is also part of NYRR’s Team Inspire, a group of hand-selected runners whose stories embody the spirit of resilience and the transformative power of running.
Amy has been training since March for the NYC Marathon, 2025, which is due to take place on November 2nd. Hydration is key to her routine, as she is handed multiple bottles of Gatorade during her training sessions. Sickle cell patients know that good hydration is a must, and drinks that offer electrolytes are the best method of staying hydrated for longer.
For Amy, running this year’s New York City Marathon isn’t about winning. It’s all about making it through the experience and proving to herself that anything is possible. The message in her story is that we should never let an unfortunate diagnosis limit our prospects. Shoot for the stars and defy the odds, just like Amy.
Be sure to check out the full interview with Amy Cohen in the video above. Below you will find some links to Amy’s social media and the New York Road Runners.
Related Links
- Amy Cohen’s Patient Room TikTok
- Amy Cohen’s Patient Room Instagram
- The New York Road Runners official website
- The Official Sickle Cell & Thalassemia Support Community
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