My Story…
Running for Will: A Father's Fight Against Cancer
I learned to hate the word "cancer" long before August 22, 2016—the day it took my son Will. He was seventeen, just weeks away from his senior year. The grief hasn't left me. It surfaces without warning, catching me off guard when I least expect it.
Will was an endurance runner. We'd made plans to run together for years to come. Now I run with a small jar of his ashes. His courage during that final battle—running hard until time ran out—pushes me forward when my own legs want to give up.
No parent should carry their child's ashes on a run. That's why I've committed myself to fighting cancer however I can. This year, that means raising funds for the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) through the Philadelphia Marathon Patriot Challenge.
The Challenge is 44.26 miles over two days: a half marathon and 8K on Saturday, November 22nd, then the full marathon on Sunday the 23rd. It'll push me to my limits. But Will used to say, "Never tell me the odds, because I'm going to do it anyway."
I'm asking you to ignore the odds too. Donate what you can to AACR. Together, we can spare other families from walking this road alone.
Donate to help Joe raise money for 2025 Philadelphia Marathon Weekend’s fundraising campaign.
Recent donors
| Donation date | Donor name | Donation amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 26 | Rob Millar | $104.75 |
| Nov 26 | Scott | $52.38 |
| Nov 26 | Hans Conradt | $104.75 |
| Nov 26 | Koren Copps | Undisclosed amount |
| Nov 26 | Phoebe Hyun | Undisclosed amount |
| Nov 26 | Omar R. | Undisclosed amount |
| Nov 26 | Irene Wang | $104.75 |
| Nov 23 | Jean Roth | $104.75 |
| Nov 21 | Dan Mala | $26.19 |
| Nov 21 | Andy HTC - only 44.26 to go! YOU GOT THIS!! Have fun out there! | Undisclosed amount |
