Conflict journalism is a dangerous field; covering war-torn countries turns most people away. James Foley ran toward it. As a freelance photojournalist in Syria, James took pride in giving voices to the voiceless. He traveled in and out of the country several times, always being wary of what trouble his profession could potentially get him into. In November 2012, James was kidnapped ISIS; he was murdered in August 2014.
James’ family decided to turn this tragedy into something positive. James was very involved in bettering others’ lives; from volunteering for Teach For America to developing relationships with Syrian families, he devoted his life to advocating for basic human rights. The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation was created in order to fulfill James’ mission: they advocate for American hostages, support freelance journalists abroad and “promote educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth”. Find out more about the Foundation’s work.
Because his death touched so many people around the world, the Foundation decided to create a virtual 5K. On the weekend of Oct. 17, which would have been James’ 41st birthday, the James Foley Foundation encourages everyone to go on a run (in a group or alone), take a selfie and use the hashtag #IRunforJim. The Foundation’s main goal with this event is to raise awareness about the work they’re doing, as well as receive donations so they can continue their global outreach. If you’d like to register for a virtual run or donate $25 to the Foundation, click here.