Degree Deodorant Gives 3 Runners Second Chance to Finish Marathon

Degree Deodorant wants people to have the confidence to persevere in the face of obstacles or self doubt. To that end, the leading antiperspirant company is introducing its Not Done Yet Marathon Team, composed of individuals, including a multiple sclerosis (MS) patient, who did not finish their marathon.

The second chance for the three team members to run 26.2 miles comes on July 24 at this year’s San Francisco Marathon. The “Not Done Yet” campaign team includes everyday athletes from disparate backgrounds who, due to various challenges when running a previous marathon, did not finish their race.

Team members include Sagirah Ahmed Norris of Houston. The Chicago native began running to cope with losing her father, and soon after was diagnosed with MS. After her physician told her she would lose her ability to walk, Norris began an experimental MS treatment that she said enabled her to continue running.

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However, an equipment malfunction stopped her from finishing her last marathon attempt. Norris looks forward to participating in the San Francisco race and motivating others to continue pushing through their limits.

“MS is something that happened to me, but it isn’t who I am,” Norris said in a Degree video.

The other team members include Michael Zampella of Philadelphia, who lost his vision due to a degenerative eye disease. An injury prevented him from completing his first marathon.

Then there’s Ashley Zirkle of Seattle, a kidney donor who withdrew from her last marathon when she realized she needed more time to recover from the surgery.

Videos about the team members can be viewed on YouTube.

“We hope that the powerful stories of the Not Done Yet Marathon Team members will inspire more displays of courage and perseverance in movers of all ages,” Desi Okeke, director of Degree North America, said in a press release.

Degree’s campaign also includes Tyler Cameron, marathon runner, author, and TV personality, who will lead the team and serve as its trainer. In that role, he will share tips from his marathon experiences to help encourage and prepare team members to race.

“Finishing a marathon is one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences I’ve had,” Cameron said. “Running has helped me through tough times in my life, despite feeling like I wanted to give up in those moments. Through my partnership with Degree and as the Not Done Yet Team Trainer, I hope to be able to encourage others to do the same — to keep moving and take one step at a time, regardless of what barriers are standing in the way.”

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Degree is also donating $50,000 to Achilles International, a nonprofit that seeks to transform the lives of people with disabilities through social connection and athletic programs.

“The generous donation from Degree Deodorant will empower more Achilles athletes with disabilities to get to the start line and achieve their race goals,” said Emily Glasser, Achilles International president and CEO. “Like Degree, we’re committed to breaking down barriers to achievement.”

As part of its global Breaking Limits program, Degree has pledged some $5 million over the next five years to motivate more people to overcome barriers.