CHARLOTTE – A Charlotte doctor is going beyond his duties as a cardiologist to support his patients.

Starting Nov. 12, Dr. Ted Frank from Carolinas HealthCare System is running for not one or two but five marathons in five consecutive days. 

He's running to raise money for heart transplant patients in financial need and raise awareness about donors.

“There's about between 2,000, 3000 donors available per year and there are many more people who need organs, not only hearts, kidneys, livers,” said Frank.

Frank will run all five marathons around Freedom Park and each day about mid-marathon, he's inviting patients to walk with him for a mile.

One of his patients, Wayne Sykes said he's looking forward to walking with Frank each day.

"I'm just trying to figure out how he's going to do 26 miles five days in a row,” said Sykes. “Because I've done one and it took me about six, seven, eight days to recover but why he's doing it is more important than if he's able to do it."

Frank's goal is to raise $25,000 and all the proceeds will support Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute transplant patients with special healthcare needs.

You can donate directly to his cause here.