I Run for Those Who Cannot...

The goal is simple: ensure families in the Greater Philadelphia area with a loved one fighting cancer never go hungry again. 

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. 

A little bit about me…
I have spent the last four years in Philadelphia working as an RN and am currently pursuing an Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner degree at Drexel University. I am an active member of our Substance Use Disorder (SUD) group and Difficult IV Access (DIVA) team, and I serve as a Geriatric Resource RN throughout the hospital. Roughly two years ago, my hospital began admitting hospice patients from home. While this was admittedly a challenging transition for me, hospice care is something I have grown to love. Changing my mindset as I transitioned from one of my typical medical-surgical patients’ rooms to a hospice room felt unnatural; the emphasis on recovery and healing quickly shifted to the cessation of treatment and the implementation of comfort measures.

My time spent providing end-of-life care has drastically changed my career trajectory, as well as my overall outlook on life. I have had the opportunity to spend time with patients and their families as they near the end of life; whether sharing good stories and laughter or arguing at the bedside, families are truly tested during these times. One of the more challenging realities I witness is the absence of family or friends at the end of life. I have cared for multiple patients who never had a visitor, therefore facing this transition alone. To mitigate this, my hospital created the No One Dies Alone (NODA) program, in which volunteers and staff members are called to sit with and accompany patients at the bedside. I was immediately compelled to participate when I learned about this opportunity.

I recently lost my grandmother and grandfather. Leading up to their passing, I witnessed the impact that declining health, increasing needs, and difficult decisions regarding the cessation of treatment, initiation of palliative care, and hospice enrollment had on my family. This was particularly difficult for my father, who assumed the role of caregiver for both my grandmother and grandfather for two years. He took them to and from every appointment and gradually assumed more responsibility for their daily care.

My grandmother’s decision to enroll in hospice was emotional for my family and, at times, created rifts between family members. From that point until the day of her passing, my father served as my grandmother’s bedside nurse—a role for which he had no formal training. We faced challenges we had not anticipated; we were too financially secure to qualify for daily nursing care, yet unable to afford higher-quality skilled nursing facilities. These circumstances made it nearly impossible for my father to work, only increasing the demands placed on his life.I encounter situations like this almost daily at work, but experiencing it personally was eye-opening. Whether large or small, help is help; relieving the stress of worrying about even one meal can make a world of difference.

This will be my first half marathon!!! 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!