I’m taking on the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon in memory of my Dad by running with Fred’s Team, the official running program of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). 

Two years ago, my Dad received a shock terminal cancer diagnosis (had been masked as chronic back pain) on a Sunday and passed peacefully that next Sunday, March 20, 2022. My Dad himself was a Hospice nurse and touched many lives of those afflicted with the same disease. In fact, the on-call Hospice nurse asked us to share with him that he changed her life about an hour prior to his passing. 

My Dad and I bonded so much over sports...we loved all kinds of sports! He was my biggest athletic supporter through high school and beyond. He was an avid Yankees fan and always dreamt of visiting Yankee Stadium, though sadly, our shared dream of Derek Jeter becoming his son-in-law was never recognized. There are so many sporting moments that I wish I could share with him now and his loss is felt deeply across all areas of my life, but very often when I want to talk with him about a game, a strategy, an accomplishment. Running the NYC Marathon to raise money for cancer research seems like such an appropriate way to keep his memory alive in a way that makes a difference and is so perfect for our relationship. 

I have struggled with running so much since my Dad's passing. I think it's partly because I am alone with my thoughts as I run, and everything was so raw, which made every run so painful. Two years later, and approaching my 40th birthday, I feel ready to honor him and his memory in this way. While it breaks my heart that he will not see me reach my 40th birthday, I know he would be proud of this effort. 

100% OF YOUR DONATION SUPPORTS RESEARCH
Named in honor of New York City Marathon co-founder and MSK patient Fred Lebow, Fred’s Team brings together passionate runners and supporters to make progress against cancer. Since 1995, Fred’s Team participants have raised over $110 million. 100% of funds raised go directly into MSK labs, where doctors and scientists have expertise in more than 400 types of cancer and work every day to find new cures. Runners are able to choose where to direct our donations and I have chosen to direct donations to the areas of greatest need with MSK. 

DONATE TODAY!
When you make a gift to Fred’s Team, you help MSK researchers develop new treatment options for the people who need them most. Together, we can make a big difference. For every person who donates $100 or more, I will dedicate a mile specifically to your loved one who has survived or passed from cancer.

Thank you!