My name is Allie Friend and I am running the TCS New York City Marathon to raise funds in support of pediatric cancer research and to help Tackle Kids Cancer. All money raised will benefit the Children’s Cancer Institute at Hackensack Meridian Health and will help their littlest patients become kids again! This is an incredibly personal endeavor for me because last fall, my younger cousin was diagnosed with Stage IV Rhabdomyosarcoma with a long road of aggressive chemo and radiation ahead of him.

Jack is an incredible eleven-year-old boy who loves sports, his older brothers, and being the life of any party. His parents, Whitney and Aaron, have been unwavering in their strength for their entire family, but they deserve more from all of us. Jack has faced treatment for his pediatric cancer with resilience, grace, and incredible strength. Jack and kiddos like him deserve so much more of a quality of life while in treatment, in and out of the hospital, and beyond their illness.

I care about finding a cure for pediatric cancer, and we hope you do, too! The Children’s Cancer Institute at Hackensack Meridian Health has stood as a beacon of hope for children and families dealing with pediatric cancer…but more can be done. Pediatric cancer is the #1 cause of death by disease among children in the US and only 4% of cancer research dollars are allocated to pediatric cancer. These facts are devastating, but the doctors at the Children’s Cancer Institute are working tirelessly to find a cure. Please support us and help end childhood cancer!

Raising money to find a cure is a marathon – not a sprint!  We have a long way to go, and every dollar helps!  Even $20 would make a big difference for the pediatric cancer patients at the Children's Cancer Institute.

Thank you for supporting my run! Thank you for supporting Jack. Thank you for supporting all pediatric cancer patients. Together we can make a bigger impact in this fight against pediatric cancer.

Remember…together WE CAN Tackle Kids Cancer!