Father warns of rare condition following runner death and daughter illness

A father from New Jersey is speaking out to raise awareness about rhabdomyolysis after his four-year-old daughter suffered heart and kidney failure from the rare disorder, the New York Post reported. Joe Modica, aged 38, shared his story following the recent death of a New York City Marathon runner who died from the same condition. [1]

The family fell ill with mild symptoms around January 6, 2024, which they initially believed to be a common cold, according to the New York Post. The illness triggered rhabdomyolysis in four-year-old Ali Modica, causing her heart to stop for 18 minutes. The resulting brain injury left the child unable to walk or speak, requiring intensive physical therapy, occupational therapy, and full-time care. [1]

The warning comes shortly after 24-year-old Rachel Apa collapsed and died during the New York City Marathon. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Apa was a former college field hockey player for Bucknell University who collapsed in Central Park two miles before the finish line while running her first marathon for charity. [1][3]

The New York City Marathon courses through the five boroughs of New York City and is one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. It stands among the largest marathons globally, recording 59,135 finishers in 2025. [2]