Father and son have raised $10,000 to fight AIDS

When Bob McDonough of Round Lake Beach went with his son Robert to JFK Health World in Barrington in 2003, he did not expect it to be a life-changing event.

But after they watched a documentary about the international AIDS epidemic, that's exactly what happened for both father and son.

Robert, who was 11 at the time, grabbed his father's attention when he asked, "Is there anything we can do?"

The elder McDonough had an answer a year later when he enrolled in the Chicago branch of the National AIDS Marathon Training Program. He would run the Chicago Marathon to raise money for those affected by the deadly virus.

"This all started with the intent to help somebody else," McDonough said. "I wanted to prove that one person can make a difference by giving to a cause much bigger than yourself."

However, for the middle-aged mechanic who runs his own shop in Lakemoor (Automotive Connections Inc.), training for a marathon and raising the $1,500 membership minimum would pose physical, mental and financial challenges.

The 41-year-old McDonough credits the strong support and guidance of the National AIDS Training Program for turning him into a committed marathoner and fundraiser.

"People were shocked when I ran the first year because I don't have a runner's physique," he said. "It's hard to imagine a brick running for 26.2 miles."

The 'brick' has run in six marathons since, a testament to his determination considering McDonough estimates he runs about 500 miles while training for each race.

With the help of their business, friends and family, the McDonoughs have raised nearly $10,000 for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago through AIDS Marathon.

He charges his shop's customers for parts and materials and solicits a donation to his AIDS Foundation fund for the cost of labor. The result, he said, is customers get their vehicles fixed and contribute to a good cause.

"Bob is somebody who always gives no matter what, and that's why everybody loves him," said friend Airick LaPratt. "You see it in the way he runs his business, in the way he treats his friends and in the way he gives back to the community."

Since being founded in 1998, AIDS Marathon has trained more than 20,000 runners and raised $80 million nationwide.

"It is just awesome that Bob has been able to come back each year - most people don't do that," said program director Steve Schapiro. "Running with a charity and knowing that you are making a difference is really powerful and really motivating."

McDonough said 2008 was his best marathon yet because he was accompanied for the first time by his son, Robert.

"It was an overwhelming experience; kind of like Disneyworld," said Robert McDonough, now 17. "You lose feeling of what is going on and all you hear is cheering."

But last year's marathon was in doubt for Bob McDonough when sharp pains in his face, neck and chest resulted in an overnight hospital stay.

"All I was thinking in the hospital was, 'I have to run with Robert,'" he said. "Thankfully, my condition went away I was able to keep my promise to him."

Stress at work, a haphazard diet and an inconsistent sleep schedule had caused the Bob McDonough's blood pressure to skyrocket to a dangerous level.

"My body was warning me that it was time for a lifestyle change," he said.

A shiny silver lining shone through when his cardiologist told him marathon training had probably saved his life.

"Running for the cause has extended my life, and you can't put any price on that," he said. "Ironically, this all ties together and it continues to unfold as we go along."

Through pre-dawn treks to Chicago's lakefront for AIDS Marathon group runs every weekend and many weeknights spent running laps around a local Kmart parking-lot, Bob and Robert McDonough have come to understand the meaning of sacrifice.

They have also realized generosity can be contagious. Bob McDonough said he is consistently impressed by the contributions of his family, friends and customers.

"They know we are more than just a one-hit wonder," he said. "As for me, I will continue to run until I can't run anymore."

Bob and Robert will run in the 2009 Chicago Marathon on Oct. 11 as they did in 2008: side by side.

Six years after asking his father how they could help those affected by AIDS, Robert now has an answer of his own.

"Make every step count," he said. "It doesn't matter whether you are able to help thousands of people or just one, what is important is that you really have made a difference."

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