This fall, I am excited to be running the New York City Marathon as part of Team Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) with a mission to help make surviving lung cancer the expectation, not the exception.

Last year, a close family friend, Hank Young, passed away from lung cancer. Hank was a healthy, smiley outdoorsman and a loving father and husband. A few months later, another family friend passed away suddenly from the same disease. With these two losses in such short succession, the urgency to find a cure never felt more pressing. 

In honor of Hank, Tom, Hank's son, invited me to join him on a hike to raise money to fight this disease. Astonishingly, Tom hiked over 500 miles last summer, and I was happy to have participated in 170 of those miles (more about that trip here). Despite that effort, the work to raise money is far from over. A year after that hike, I am looking for new ways to help. That is why I plan to run the New York City Marathon this fall, in support of LCRF.  

As tradition at this point, I needed to recruit someone to help in this fundraiser, and I've asked my mom to join the effort. Together, we will run 26.2 miles on race day, November 5, 2023. 

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality, but despite this, lung cancer research receives far less funding than any other type of cancer. The Lung Cancer Research Foundation has dedicated tens of millions of dollars to hundreds of research projects focused on novel ways to prevent, diagnose, treat, and ultimately cure lung cancer. All research proposals that LCRF funds are reviewed by a board of world-leading scientists and physicians to ensure that all money raised is used efficaciously.

We are seeking any donation amount in honor of Hank as well as the 1 in 16 people who will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime. All donations are greatly appreciated, and we look forward to sharing our thanks come race day!