Michael Jay Paskin and Steve Taylor don’t appear to know each other, but from opposite sides of the country, both are using their physical strength to fight a deadly disease that robs its victims of their strength – spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

Paskin is training to complete the Ironman Arizona triathlon which consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike, and a 26.2 mile run. He started TriathlonForACure.com to document his training, but also to raise awareness of SMA and funds for the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation. Paskin says that his goal “is to parallel the hard work and determination it takes to complete each triathlon with the hard work and determination it will take to eliminate SMA.” To read more about Michael Paskin’s efforts, click here.

Last month, Taylor completed a 50-mile “ultra marathon” in Washington, DC. The police officer from New Bedford, MA ran in honor of his friends’ 22-month old son Owen who has SMA. Taylor said, “I was thinking of Owen and that drove me not to quit.” Through this race, Taylor was able to raise $3,000 in donations for Owen’s family and he plans to run an even longer race in Owen’s honor next year. To read more about Officer Taylor’s run, click here.