The family of Rachel Apa, a runner who collapsed near the finish line of the New York City Marathon, has established a foundation in her memory to raise awareness of rhabdomyolysis and advocate for rapid medical care at endurance races.
Apa suffered a medical emergency during the race, and her family aims to educate athletes and event organizers about the condition, which involves the breakdown of muscle tissue that can lead to kidney damage.
The foundation will work to improve emergency response protocols and ensure that medical teams are equipped to recognize and treat rhabdomyolysis quickly during long-distance events.
