Michigan man runs for life

When Brett Moon decided to run in this year's Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon October 5, he had more than his own personal goal in mind. While completing his first 26.2 mile race was an admirable goal, this 34-year-old father of three young children wanted even more. He wanted to raise money to help save the lives of unborn babies.

"It's just something that is important to my family," said Brett. "We wanted to be able to help not only by praying, but by doing something tangible—to raise money, to raise awareness and to do whatever we can to save the children. I decided if I could do something small by running, that's what I would like to do."

An avid runner for the last few years, Brett generally runs four to five days each week chalking up about 30 miles. "About a year ago I thought about running a marathon," he said. In June he participated in his first half-marathon, the 13.1 mile Dexter to Ann Arbor Run, and he noticed there were several charities affiliated with the event.

"That was what gave me the idea to run for a cause," he added. "And the cause I was thinking about was Right to Life of Michigan."

After deciding to enter the 26th annual Detroit marathon, Brett checked the website for the list of charities, but didn't find Right to Life of Michigan. "I wasn't sure if I had to run for one of their causes but when I called to ask about RLM, they told me I could run for whatever cause I wanted to."

That was music to Brett's ears and inspiration to his family—his most ardent fans and supporters.

"We are really strongly prolife," said Brett's wife Nancy. "I used to volunteer for Problem Pregnancy Help in Ann Arbor and Brett had to listen to me talk about it all the time. He decided that when the Lord asked him what he did for babies, he would need to have more to tell Him than that he just listened to his wife talk. He wanted to get more involved."

Brett's involvement became the inspiration for others. Parishioners at the Moons' church, St. Stanislaus Kostka in Wyandotte, were motivated when their pastor, Fr. John Hedges, ran articles in the bulletin. And families at the Spiritus Sanctus Academy in Plymouth were encouraged to participate through an article in the school's newsletter. The Moons' oldest daughter, Melissa, is a first-grader there.

The prolife cause is very dear to Nancy's and Brett's hearts for another reason—they know firsthand what it is like to lose a pre-born child. The Moons have suffered two miscarriages, one between Melissa and 3-year-old Max and the other between Max and Edward, 1 ½. Both times they gave the babies names.

"Those times were extremely difficult, and it makes you think even more how precious each life is," said Brett. "Sometimes we take for granted having children, but each child is such an incredible gift, and we certainly will never forget the two babies that we lost."

Added Nancy, "It is so sad how adversely women are affected by abortion. Miscarriages bring that home to you. There are so many women damaged by abortion."

That's part of the inspiration for Brett to continue running to raise funds for RLM.

"My goal is to run at least one marathon every year for Right to Life of Michigan," he said. "And I wouldn't mind some company on the next one."

At the time of print, Brett raised more than $2,000 with pledges continuing to arrive.

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