On September 13th–14th, I’ll be climbing the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art — for 24 hours straight.

This will be my second year doing the PHL24 challenge in support of Legacy of Hope, an organization that provides critical support for cancer patients and their families when all other options have run out. Food. Rent. Utilities. Hope. They step in when systems fail, when families are forced to choose between survival and treatment.

Last year, this event helped me carry the weight I was already shouldering. At the time, both my dad and my brother were in active cancer treatment. I climbed through the night with them on my mind. Every step was for them.

This year, they're both in observation. No more chemo. We're not out of the woods, but we’ve seen a little light break through the trees. So I’m climbing again: in gratitude, in hope, and in solidarity with the thousands of other families still caught in the chaos of cancer.

Because here in Philly, in the richest country in the world, people are still having to choose between paying for treatment or feeding their kids. That should never happen. But it does, and that’s exactly why Legacy of Hope exists. To date, they’ve prevented hunger for over 7,700 cancer patients and their families in Philly. With your help, we can do even more.

This year, Legacy of Hope’s fundraising goal is $250,000, money that will go directly to the David N. April Emergency Patient Support Center and to families in Philadelphia and Camden who are facing the worst moments of their lives.

This is about dignity. This is about showing up. This is about climbing for those who can’t.

If you can donate, thank you. If you can share, thank you. If you’re in the fight yourself, or walking beside someone who is, I see you.

We climb with love. We climb with purpose. We climb for hope.

Nico