Katrina Gangi, from North Andover, Massachusetts, is honored to run the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon with the Myocarditis Foundation to raise awareness for viral myocarditis.

Raised in a large Italian family where Sundays revolved around food and togetherness, family means everything to Katrina. When her cousin Caitlin welcomed her daughter, Francesca “Frankie”, Katrina was overjoyed. That joy turned to fear when Frankie became critically ill and was diagnosed with viral myocarditis at just seven days old, caused by rhino/enterovirus, aka the common cold.

Frankie survived on an LVAD for months before receiving her miracle, a heart transplant, seven months later. Her journey deeply impacted Katrina.

Katrina lives in South Boston “Southie” with her twin sister and works in marketing. Her passion for running and supporting the Foundation, she is proud to take on the NYC Marathon to honor Frankie’s strength and raise awareness for this silent disease.