I'm back for year two as part of the Legacy of Hope Family. This September 12th and 13th,  I am climbing the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Art Museum for 24 continuous hours as a Sponsored Athlete for Legacy of Hope during their 9th annual endurance event, PHL24.  

I’m not a professional athlete by any means, but I move because I am able to. I run and challenge myself for those who can’t, and for those who are no longer with us.

Six years ago, I made a personal commitment—to live my life to the fullest and never stop pursuing movement in honor of my cousin, Jose Maria, who left us far too early. I remember the exact moment I got the call from my mother. I stepped out of my classroom because something felt off. On that same day, in the same city but different hospitals, both my grandpa and my cousin received cancer diagnoses. We had lost many close relatives to this horrible disease, but this time felt different.

I learned a lot from that experience: an early diagnosis can save lives, a healthy and stress-free lifestyle is underrated, cancer doesn’t discriminate, and that every day in the USA, 5,500 people receive a cancer diagnosis. My grandpa lost his battle just a week or two later, and my cousin took his last breath exactly one year after that day. When I received the news I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I was overwhelmed with sorrow, grieving alone and far from my family. I was lost for words as I thought about my grieving loved ones, trying to find a way to cope with this loss. So, I put on my sneakers and dragged myself outside. I started running without a plan, tears rolling down my face. As I ran, my miles grew longer as my anxiety and grief were creeping in. That day I chose to do hard things, not for myself but for those who can't. 

PHL24 is built on resilience, community, and showing up for others when they need it most. Alongside 30 other dedicated athletes, I’ll be climbing with the grit, compassion, and community-driven resilience that Philadelphia is known for. We climb because others are in the fight of their lives. I am committed to helping reach this goal, but also to advocating for early diagnosis and the importance of taking care of our health. We live in a healthcare system that is failing us, and there is a lack of education and open communication about cancer. 

Legacy of Hope provides emergency support to cancer patients and families when all other resources have been exhausted. We climb so that families have access to fresh, healthy food, heat, hot water, housing support, and other critical necessities during the most difficult moments of their lives.

This journey won’t be easy,  but our commitment and resolve are unwavering.  

I promise never to quit, and I need your support.  Movement is a blessing and a privilege that we should all take advantage of. What better way to do this than by helping those who are struggling in our community? I will climb every hour, representing every soccer field my cousin never got to play on, and every dance floor we never got to dance on together. The 24-hour athlete team remains steadfast in our resolve to make a lasting impact on the lives of those who have nowhere else to turn.  We promise to leave our Legacy of Hope.

Check out Legacy of Hope's Emergency Patient Support Network which is literally changing lives and providing hope everyday. To date we’ve prevented hunger for over 8,200 cancer patients and family members living in Philadelphia.

Help me build bridges and close the gap so that no person or family member is ever turned away when they need help. I am grateful for your support which directly helps families facing impossible circumstances.