Welcome to my Legacy of Hope fundraising page, I am so glad you’re here!

When it comes to cancer, we all fight toghether! 

Our goal is simple: ensure families in the Greater Philadelphia area with a loved one fighting cancer never go hungry again. How can you help us achieve this goal. Step one...keep reading! 

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. 

Legacy of Hope is a Philly organization that helps cancer patients find new cures and receive emergency patient support. They partner with hospitals and local groups to assist financially-struggling patients who have no other options. Additionally, they fund cancer research by using the expertise of Philly's top researchers to select and support promising scientists. So why Legacy of Hope? Well, once you read my story below you’ll know exactly why. 

I was born and raised in Pottsville, PA and graduated  from Pottsville Area High School in 2007. Immediately following graduation, I served four years in the Marine Corps Infantry. My four years of service ended in 2011 and that August I was enrolled as a freshman at Penn State. After graduating in 2015 I worked full time in the non-profit industry for many years raising money for cancer research and helping families experiencing a cancer diagnosis. My passion for this came from when I was quite young. I had two older sisters growing up, Ashley and Lauren. They were my best friends and we did everything together! In 1994, Lauren became very sick and my parents took her to the hospital. She was eventually diagnosed with Leukemia. Lauren battled this terrible disease for two years.

Lauren was an amazing person; no matter what she was going through she always had the biggest smile on her face. She fought with all her might day in and day out for 2 years and never complained. Whether she was telling a joke or just doing something funny she always knew how to make someone laugh. She had a heart of gold and always let my family know how much she loved us.  She was just a very special little girl and she truly was one of a kind. She was filled with so much love and always wanted to help other people. There was never a dull moment with Lauren. Lauren could make you laugh, or make you think and she always made you feel. 

Lauren passed away in 1996 just 2 short weeks after her 9th birthday. This was devastating to me and my family. This is why I choose to fundraise and why I choose to fight! So that I can help families going through what my family went through and because I know if Lauren was alive today, she would be on the front lines doing everything she could to help these families out! 

Thank you so much for your donation, it means the world to me and to the families whose lives you are changing! 

Spread the word: Philadelphia cancer patients and their families do not go hungry!