Help Stephen raise money

Back in October of 2024, my friend texted me out of nowhere and asked, “Wanna sign up for a marathon?” My immediate response was, “A marathon??? Do you know how long a marathon is?”

Well… a little over two years later, I’ll be running the Philadelphia Marathon alongside my best man, personal trainer, personal motivator, and someone I constantly struggle to keep pace with: Tom. (Funny enough, he isn’t even the one who sent the text.)

We started this running journey at the end of 2024 following the brief group chat discussion about running a marathon, this time instead with two simple goals: move more and live a healthier lifestyle. That eventually led us to signing up for the Philadelphia Distance Run Half Marathon in September 2025. Tom may remember it differently, but my first thought after crossing the finish line was definitely:

“How in the world does someone run another 13.1 miles after this?”

Apparently, the answer is: let’s find out.

I’m proud to say I’ll be running as part of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) charity team. While I’m still trying to figure out why I am voluntarily running 26.2 miles, supporting cancer research is a cause worth doing it for.

When we decided we wanted to run on a charity team, AACR immediately felt like the right choice. In 2019, Tom’s dad passed away after his battle with cancer. But don't be mistaken, he didn't lose his battle. Like Norm McDonald once said:

"I'm not a doctor, but I'm pretty sure if you die, the cancer dies at the same time. That's not a loss. That's a draw."

Regardless of how you frame it, I’m sure we’ve all seen firsthand the impact that loss has had on someone—whether a family member, friend, or even a stranger. If the money raised through this marathon can help fund research that someday prevents even one family from experiencing that same kind of loss, then every mile, long run, and sore leg will absolutely be worth it.

Whether you choose to donate, share my page, or simply cheer me on from a safe distance while I question my decisions (which I will definitely be doing) around mile 14, I truly appreciate the support.

Thank you! And much love.

*Every dollar donated goes directly to AACR and helps fund critical cancer research, treatments, and breakthroughs.*