Fred's Team

“MSK has always been part of my life because it was the hospital that saved my older sister, Sophie, after she was diagnosed with retinoblastoma at 21 months old. She had to have her right eye removed, and thanks to Dr. David Abramson and his incredible care team at MSK, she has been cancer-free for nearly 27 years. Three of my grandparents also went to MSK for treatment, and I am grateful that both my grandmothers are now in remission from breast cancer. Earlier this year, I learned that I had a benign tumor in my bladder. Luckily, I was sent to MSK for treatment, and I’m under the amazing care of Dr. S. Machele Donat. As if I didn't already have enough reasons to care about MSK! I first joined Fred’s Team to honor my family and friends who were treated at MSK. Now as an MSK patient, I am also benefiting from MSK’s incredible doctors and nurses. I am honored to run my first marathon with Fred's Team. It’s been my dream to run the TCS New York City Marathon and give back to a place that has given me and my family so much. Every dollar I raise will support groundbreaking research to help children grow up to live long, healthy lives.” —Eliza B.L. #FredsTeam #TCSNYCMarathon #DedicateYourMiles #MSK

Another training run in the bag! ✅ The hard work is paying off, and we can’t wait to see our runners cross the TCS New York City Marathon finish line in Central Park soon. #FredsTeam #TrainingRun

“I wish I could convey the weight of that moment in 2007 when my father was told he had a 1% chance of survival. I was just nine years old, too young to grasp the magnitude of what it meant to hear that nothing more could be done, that it was time to prepare for the inevitable. But I remember the nights — those endless nights — when my mother would sit hunched over at the kitchen table, her fingers tracing phone numbers, her heart clinging to hope, her prayers echoing in the silence of our home. She was searching, always searching, for the miracle we needed to save him. Every door we knocked on was shut. Every doctor turned us away. The battle was deemed unwinnable. But then there was MSK, who saw what others couldn’t: the flicker of possibility amid the darkness. They took my father in, and after weeks of fighting, after the removal of a tumor that was more like a monster than anything human, after a scar that would stretch across his torso like a reminder of all he had endured — he emerged, cancer-free. My father, David, the man who has become my hero, my guide, my strength, was given back to us. Sixteen years later and counting, this impossible gift is a testament to the relentless dedication of those at MSK. I run now for him — for every step he has taken and every step he still will; for the fight he fought and the life he lives. I run for those fighting an uphill battle that has, like my father’s once was, been deemed unwinnable in hopes that their prayers are too answered by the research and care of MSK. I am so grateful to share my life milestones with you, dad. This is for you.” —Josh P. #FredsTeam #MSK #TCSNYCMarathon #DedicateYourMiles

The countdown continues—just ONE MONTH until the TCS New York City Marathon! 🗽 Which part of the course are you most looking forward to?

"Last Labor Day weekend, my younger sister went to the hospital with abdominal pain. Two months, two biopsies, and three hospital opinions later, we found out that she had a desmoid tumor. Desmoid tumors are a rare type of tumor. Although non-cancerous, they can still be locally aggressive and are often treated by cancer specialists. When my sister was deciding where to go for treatment, I told her that if she chose MSK, I would run a marathon to raise money for the hospital. That’s how I discovered Fred’s Team. For the past year, she has been working with amazing MSK doctors who continue to monitor and learn more about her tumor. Now, I’m running the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon with Fred’s Team to raise money for rare cancer research at MSK. I hope that the funds I raise will help my sister and provide other patients and families with quicker diagnoses, better treatment options, and more peace of mind.” —Alexa P. #FredsTeam #MSK #TCSNYCMarathon

“In January 2024, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I had surgery and then started six rounds of chemotherapy. Early on in treatment, I got the medical okay to start training for the TCS New York City Marathon. I’ve visualized running the marathon with Fred’s Team countless times. Running has helped me endure tough chemo days and face moments of fear. It has helped shake the chemos out of me and kept me sane. My favorite run ever was running home with one of my doctors after round six of chemo. Running has also given me space to reflect on what I am grateful for. When I was first diagnosed, I was scared of what I could lose, but running has gifted me with new friends, a renewed sense of purpose, and the deepest gratitude to my family and community. This November, I’ll be running on Team Ovary alongside my surgeon, Dr. Vance Broach, and gynecological oncology surgical fellows Dr. Aaron Praiss and Dr. Moe Byrne. I’m proud to raise money for cancer research and run with the people who saved my life. I hope my story inspires women to ask for help and advocate for themselves so that they don’t have to go through what I’ve endured.” —Pauline L. #FredsTeam #MSK #TCSNYCMarathon #OvarianCancer #OvarianCancerAwareness #OvarianCancerAwarenessMonth #DedicateYourMiles

Thank you to all of our Berlin Marathon runners for everything you're doing to raise money for cancer research at @[ Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer-Center](urn:li:organization:55785351). Best of luck this Sunday! \#FredsTeam \#BerlinMarathon

“As a neurologist and neuro-oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, I specialize in treating brain tumors and neurologic complications related to cancer, and I've been caring for people with cancer for almost 25 years. I receive such gratitude and appreciation for life from my patients as I witness their displays of courage in struggling with their disease as well as their joy in celebrating the beauty of life. This year, I can’t wait to take on the BMW Berlin Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon with Fred’s Team. Running and raising money for cancer research is personal for me not only because of my work but also because I lost my husband, Robert, to stage 4 pancreatic cancer last year. Robert was diagnosed in August 2022. He underwent several different chemotherapy regimens led by Dr. Eileen O'Reilly. He actually looked forward to going to MSK’s Commack and 53rd Street locations for chemo because he was received by everyone with such friendliness, warmth, and compassion. He was cared for like a real person, and that can make all the difference when you’re persevering through treatment. I couldn’t be more grateful for the care that Robert received at MSK and for the time we had together. My miles are dedicated to him, and I’m raising money to fuel MSK’s efforts to find better treatments for pancreatic cancer. Over the years, we’ve made remarkable progress in how we understand and treat cancer — and it’s progress made possible by programs like Fred’s Team. Philanthropic support equips me and my colleagues to push the boundaries of cancer science and translate our discoveries into more effective therapeutic approaches that can give hope and possibility to people facing this horrible disease. For me, that’s what it’s all about.” —Craig Nolan, MD #FredsTeam #BerlinMarathon #TCSNYCMarathon #MSK #DedicateYourMiles

“I was diagnosed in March 2022 with ductal carcinoma in situ in my left breast after a routine mammogram (reminder of the importance of regular mammograms!). I immediately got an appointment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. I was so scared and couldn’t believe that this was happening to me, but thank goodness for Dr. Monica Morrow and her team. They guided me through the whole process and were so confident that I felt happy to be there. It has been two years now, and I am cancer-free and so grateful to MSK! I had started running around the reservoir in Central Park in 2021 as a way to keep active, and I kept running after I got my cancer diagnosis. Running was my way to clear my head and heal myself emotionally. I went from one loop to two loops to many, many, many loops of that reservoir. After a brief pause for surgery, I returned to running as soon as I was able to, and I ran every morning before radiation. In 2022, I was inspired to run the TCS New York City Marathon, but only if I could join Fred’s Team and give back to breast cancer research at MSK. Thankfully, I got a spot on the team and was filled with so much joy and gratitude to be able to run with Fred’s Team. Earlier this year, I ran the United Airlines NYC Half with Fred’s Team, and in September, I will be running the BMW Berlin Marathon with Fred’s Team and raising money for childhood leukemia research in honor of a friend’s niece, Miranda, who is currently at MSK receiving treatment. Here I am, and here we go!” —Lindsey L. #DedicateYourMiles #BerlinMarathon #TCSNYCMarathon #Carcinoma

Celebrating six years cancer-free and running with a baby on board! Panagiota runs to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center each year to commemorate this special milestone and honor the doctors who saved her life. This year marked six years since completing treatment for triple negative invasive ductal carcinoma, an aggressive form of breast cancer. Congratulations on both incredible journeys!