Swampscott Native Runs for Team Eye and Ear in Boston Marathon

Swampscott, MA - Amy Spelta will running in the 120th Boston Marathon on April 18 on behalf of Massachusetts Eye and Ear.

Massachusetts Eye and Ear is a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital specializing in diseases of the eyes, ears, nose, throat, head and neck.

This will be the second Boston Marathon for Spelta, a 47-year-old Swampscott native.

She received the invitation to join Team Eye and Ear through her mother, Kathy Spelta.

For years, Kathy Spelta and her siblings (my aunts and uncle) have been participating in a genetic study of glaucoma, which is a leading cause of blindness and vision loss worldwide, at Mass. Eye and Ear.

"During her treatments for glaucoma, my mom would tell her medical team all about her family, including me," said Spelta. "Her medical team remembered that I was a long-distance runner, and they offered me a spot on their team of 50 dedicated runners who are raising money to advance the truly inspiring work of Massachusetts Eye and Ear."

Since its inception in 2006, Team Eye and Ear has raised more than $3.6 million to support the hospital’s clinical care and research.

"I could not be more excited to join this elite team and to help advance such innovative work that not only directly benefits my family, but also gives hope to people around the world who afflicted with glaucoma," Spelta said.

As a member of Team Eye and Ear, Spelta will be running for Mass. Eye and Ear through an entry provided by John Hancock Financial Services. John Hancock has helped Team Eye and Ear raise more than $3.6 million over the past decade.

Click here for Spelta's fundraising page. >>>

To learn more about Team Eye and Ear, click here. >>>