TCS New York City Marathon - Support Our Team CancerCare Champions!

Allison Lau, member of the Young Professionals Committee, and Her Why:

This marathon is especially meaningful because I lost my dad to esophageal cancer in 2017. My father, an immigrant from Hong Kong who founded a pharmacy business in NYC's Chinatown, was very active in the healthcare community. His strength, tenacity, and service-driven purpose continue to inspire me every day. 

After his passing, my family found immense comfort and guidance through CancerCare’s bereavement counseling services. Gratitude compelled me to volunteer with the organization, and I’ve proudly held leadership roles on CancerCare’s Young Professionals Committee since then.

Through this race, I will honor my dad’s legacy while supporting individuals and families who are experiencing the hardships of cancer today.

Myla Maloney, and Her Why: 

I thought my marathon days were over but then I was given the chance to run for a cause that matters to me- CancerCare! My mom lived with Multiple Myeloma for 20 years and benefited from resources like the ones CancerCare provides. I lost her in 2024 and cannot think of a better way to honor her legacy than raising money to help people affected by cancer.

Michael Payan, member of the Young Professionals Committee, and His Why:

A few years ago, I knew CancerCare as a nonprofit that many of the individuals and families I had the privilege of working with generously supported. That changed when a client was diagnosed with terminal cancer. During one of our final meetings, he told me his only concern wasn't himself - it was making sure my team, and I would look after his wife when he was gone.

After he passed away, I learned that she had turned to CancerCare for support. Through its support groups, she found not only guidance but also a close-knit community and lasting friendships with others who truly understood what she was going through.

I've now proudly served on the CancerCare Young Professionals Committee for the past two years.

Then cancer hit even closer to home in late 2025. Just days before one of my closest friends was supposed to get married, his fiancée became too sick to leave the hospital during treatment, forcing them to postpone their wedding. Thankfully, she has since completed treatment, is doing very well, and even got married! Watching her determination to keep fighting and his unwavering optimism through it all gave me a profound appreciation for the resilience it takes to overcome cancer and continues to inspire me today. That's why I'm running 26.2 miles.

Support Our Champions! 

A fun way to show your support is to sponsor each mile our CancerCare champions run. For instance, you can select a dollar amount per mile ($Y x 78.6 miles). Your gift will not only help the team raise funds for CancerCare, it will also show our runners they have the CancerCare community cheering them on!

SUPPORT OUR RUNNERS BY MAKING A GIFT

Contact [email protected] for more information and support.