Grief isn’t linear. Since the passing of my parents, I’ve cycled through its stages multiple times. But now, I choose to focus instead on the gifts my parents left me—both in life and with their deaths.
My passion for service comes from my parents. My mom, with 18 years of sobriety, helped countless others through AA. My dad dedicated himself to serving the most vulnerable in our community. Their lives were shining examples of service. Now, through Legacy of Hope, I get to carry their legacy forward—while building my own for my family and children.
They also gave me the unexpected gift of this incredible and compassionate running community—ironically, as neither of them were runners! My “why” has evolved from focusing on loss to becoming a call to action. I still grieve, but I experience it differently now. Would my parents run 13.1 miles for the Love Run or climb the Art Museum Steps for 24 hours at PHL24? Absolutely not—they’d call me crazy! But I know they’d be at the finish line, cheering all of us on. And they would make sure no cancer patient, or their family, was left behind.
On March 29th, 2026, I am running the Philadelphia Love Run Half Marathon and dedicating every mile to ensuring no cancer patients in Philadelphia or their families go hungry or lose their homes. Each week, families across Philadelphia with a loved one fighting cancer go hungry, and without the Emergency Patient Support Network, countless cancer patients in Philadelphia will continue facing hunger. Legacy of Hope created the Emergency Patient Support Network in partnership with Philadelphia hospitals to quickly identify financially disadvantaged Philadelphia cancer patients and provide emergency support, preventing hunger and homelessness.
I promise to train and race hard, but I need your support. If you are able to, please support me as I train and run in this race. Every dollar helps.
Spread the word: Philadelphia cancer patients and their families do not go hungry!
I run to honor my parents’ legacy, to serve others, and to inspire hope. I run for those who cannot.
#LegacyOfHope #LoveRun #TurningGriefIntoAction #ForThoseWhoCannot
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Anonymous Friend | 01/30/2026 | $25.00 | A beautiful way to honour wonderful parents. | Sarah Buckley-Tomme | 01/22/2026 | $100.00 | As a fellow survivor it means the world to see so many people still helping the cancer community. | Carolyn Joshua | 01/22/2026 | $100.00 | Inspired by everything you said and I personally support such organizations. Kudos to you for all that you’re doing ❤️ |
| Total | $225.00 | ||