ALYSSA DOUGHERTY Hazle Township, PA Team Member 2019

Three years ago, with the support and encouragement of fellow Team Allied Services team member Kristin Fritz, I ran my first half marathon and have been running ever since! I am so excited to be part of this amazing team and help support Allied Services!

On November 3, Alyssa Dougherty will run the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon. She is dedicating this year’s iconic marathon to Samantha Kuehner.

Samantha is 36 years old and lives in Clifton Township with her family. She has a very uplifting spirit and wants to do anything she can to help others. As a former certified nursing assistant, Samantha had seen patients who had experienced a stroke but never imagined she would experience one in her own life.

Samantha had 2 hemorrhagic strokes 6 days after the birth of her daughter Allison. Samantha called her mother that day, believing she was experiencing a severe headache. When her mother arrived, she collapsed. Samantha underwent a craniotomy and began her rehabilitation at Heinz Rehab Hospital.

“I’m a mother first” says Samantha. Her children are her biggest motivator. When she first started her recovery, she could not talk, move her arms or legs, or walk. Now, after physical, speech and occupational therapy, she is making tremendous strides. She no longer requires the assistance of a cane and says “speech is her favorite place to be.” There is a 15% survival rate for hemorrhagic strokes and Samantha does not take her recovery lightly. She just wants to make other people smile and loves to tell jokes that could make people happy.

If you would like to support Alyssa, please visit her fundraising page.