This September 13–14, I’m climbing the Rocky Steps for 24 hours straight. Not for glory, but for those who should still be here.
As one of Legacy of Hope’s sponsored 24-hour athletes in the 8th annual PHL24 endurance event, I’ll be running in memory of three incredible young people we lost far too soon. Their stories fuel every step I take:
Dr. Robert Duffy, my friend and colleague, was a pediatric dermatologist who had just finished fellowship at CHOP. He was only 32 when he passed away in May. Robby wasn’t just a gifted clinician, he embodied the heart of this profession. We once diagnosed a 3-month-old with leukemia together. That infant’s mother could barely afford food to produce milk or transport to the hospital. Robby made sure she wasn’t alone.
I’m also running for my best friend's brother, Brenan Cullimore, a 26-year-old third-year medical student who died unexpectedly this year from Brugada syndrome. He was on the path to becoming a remarkable healer.
And for my boss' son, Jacob Manders, a kind and adventurous spirit whose life was cut short in a hiking accident.
Their legacies, and the struggles we’ve seen families face, are why Legacy of Hope matters so deeply to me.
Legacy of Hope ensures that no cancer patient in Philadelphia or Camden goes without food, housing, transportation, or basic support while undergoing treatment. To date, they’ve prevented hunger for over 7,700 cancer patients and family members, and that number grows every day.
This year, the PHL24 fundraising goal is $250,000. That money will help build the David N. April Emergency Patient Support Center and continue providing direct aid to patients when all other options have been exhausted.
This 24-hour challenge will be grueling, but it’s nothing compared to what so many families face every day. I promise to show up, keep moving, and honor these lives with every step.
I ask for your support. Whether through a donation, sharing this cause, or simply cheering us on, you’re part of this fight.
Together, we’ll leave a Legacy of Hope.
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Lori Simon | 09/27/2025 | $52.55 | Ellen Van Bergen & Family | 09/24/2025 | $50.00 | Phyllis Tort | 09/23/2025 | $179.14 | Jerry Belsky | 09/20/2025 | $103.76 | For Jacob, whose friendship has been a true blessing and whose presence I am forever grateful for. | Gail Ressler | 09/17/2025 | $19.15 | Honoring Erika's grit and the memory of Jacob Manders | Peggy and Lou Gold | 09/17/2025 | $37.59 | In Memory of Jacob Manders | Nella Glick | 09/15/2025 | $36.00 | Nancy “Mommom” Jaffee | 09/15/2025 | $200.00 | Love and miss you Jacob | Andrea and Steve Stomel | 09/15/2025 | $52.01 | With love to the Manders family. | Eric and Amy Clayman | 09/14/2025 | $36.00 | Ruby Goyal-Carkeek | 09/14/2025 | $36.55 | You are amazing Erika! Thank you for doing this for Jacob. | Sam, Brack, John Collier | 09/14/2025 | $25.00 | Katherine Tighe | 09/14/2025 | $50.00 | Michelle Leavitt | 09/14/2025 | $100.00 | Thank you for honoring the memory of these exceptional individuals. Much love to the Manders family. | Jacob Harris | 09/14/2025 | $24.00 | Judith Hess | 09/14/2025 | $103.66 | Such a beautiful tribute to those that have touched your life. | Karen Hoffman | 09/14/2025 | $103.76 | We think of Jacob often | Lori Flickstein | 09/14/2025 | $52.55 | Jacob Manders | LYNN LOMAZOFF | 09/14/2025 | $52.01 | Jacob was that special gift that will be a part of me forever. Keep flying high my friend | Beth Brodkin | 09/14/2025 | $50.00 | Anonymous Friend | 09/14/2025 | $179.14 | Jacob love you!! | Judy Belkin | 09/13/2025 | $78.65 | Ilene Rosen | 09/13/2025 | $50.00 | Jami Snyder | 09/13/2025 | $26.19 | With love for the Manders family. | Matt Pigman | 09/13/2025 | $30.00 | Leila Joffe | 09/13/2025 | $37.55 | Jacob’s memory will be a blessing always! Leila, Ian, Daniel, and Justen | Jayme Getelman | 09/13/2025 | $37.55 | For Jacob Manders - forever in our hearts | Shari Brenner | 09/13/2025 | $50.00 | Fawzia Jaffee | 09/13/2025 | $103.76 | Thank you for doing this. What a wonderful cause while honoring wonderful people. | Gail Belfer | 09/13/2025 | $50.00 | Jackie & Alan Rosenheck | 09/13/2025 | $52.06 | Such a nice tribute to Jacob Manders. Thank you for doing this Erika! | Julie Martin | 09/13/2025 | $50.00 | Abolafia Family | 09/12/2025 | $54.00 | Lacy Sommer | 09/12/2025 | $100.00 | You're an inspiration! | Risa Swell | 09/12/2025 | $56.14 | Barrie Solomon | 09/12/2025 | $50.00 | Jose Nery | 09/12/2025 | $52.55 | Keep doing amazing things! You got this! | Anonymous Friend | 09/12/2025 | $50.00 | ❤️ Cheering you on!! | Rory McElwee | 09/12/2025 | $103.76 | Jacob is forever in our hearts and wonderful memories. | Krista Fiore | 09/12/2025 | $26.19 | Maureen Epstein | 09/12/2025 | $54.14 | In honor of all that have been taken from us too young. Thank you! | Edyth Duffy | 09/12/2025 | $34.48 | Beautiful thing to do. Thank you. | Judi Keller | 09/11/2025 | $37.94 | To honor the steps made by Erica Tvedten for the three people she is climbing the Rocky steps for 24hrs in memory of, | Dalton Eckstein | 09/11/2025 | $103.66 | Get it Rick | Bryan Ehrlich | 09/11/2025 | $140.99 | Anonymous Friend | 09/11/2025 | $31.35 | Jason & Leah Wolf | 09/11/2025 | $100.00 | ❤️ | Sherri Hoffman | 09/11/2025 | $104.74 | What an inspirational person. Wishing you the best of luck!and strong legs to complete your brave task! | Lawrence Walters | 09/11/2025 | $118.00 | The definition of may his memory be a blessing. | Sydney Rowan | 09/11/2025 | $18.97 | Andrew Carlins | 09/11/2025 | $18.95 | Elise Lazarus | 09/11/2025 | $18.97 | Michael Hoffman | 09/11/2025 | $10.70 | John Mount | 09/10/2025 | $26.19 | Good luck! | Jack Driscoll | 09/10/2025 | $52.01 | Make the hard days hard. | Elizabeth Schlyer | 09/10/2025 | $26.19 | Natalie Knez | 09/07/2025 | $26.19 | So proud of you! Can’t wait to watch you crush this. | Mary Witter | 09/03/2025 | $21.02 | you’re a true inspiration, Erika! I know you’re going to crush this. | Khedjia Nottingham | 09/02/2025 | $417.86 | Anonymous Friend | 08/25/2025 | $21.02 | 🤙 | Melissa Tighe | 08/22/2025 | $103.76 | We’ll be rooting for you in California! | Steven Manders | 08/22/2025 | $103.76 | Tyre DeVries | 08/06/2025 | $52.06 | Robin Buck | 08/06/2025 | $50.00 | 💖💖🫶🏼 | Elizabeth Feldman | 08/02/2025 | $104.74 | Thank you for being such a fabulous person and helping others! | Khedjia Nottingham | 07/26/2025 | $100.00 | Keep fighting for those in need !! We are so proud of you. | Lisa Renée | 07/21/2025 | $200.00 | Ty Tvedten | 07/15/2025 | $1,034.38 | HMGS Dermatology | 07/15/2025 | $258.87 | Good luck, Erika! | Lisa Renée | 07/13/2025 | $21.02 | MORIAH MOORE | 06/25/2025 | $15.86 | Jacob Schaffer | 06/25/2025 | $10.00 | Taylor Wolf | 05/29/2025 | $52.55 | Go get em baby - proud of you! | Jared Kahn | 05/29/2025 | $41.68 | Anonymous Friend | 05/28/2025 | $21.24 |
| Total | $6,154.56 | ||