Team Brave Like Gabe x 2023 TCS NYC Marathon
The Brave Like Gabe Foundation is honored to be an official charity partner for the TCS NYC Marathon happening on November 5th, 2023. As a charity partner we were excited to offer guaranteed entry bibs to the following group of runners who in turn is raising money to support rare cancer research! Not only does training for a marathon require resilience and strength in itself, but each runner has bravely shared their own stories that connected them to the mission of the Brave Like Gabe Foundation. We are so grateful for this crew!
Please read more below about why each of these runners chose to sign up for 26.2 miles in New York City below.
Interested in running with us next year? More information coming soon!
Sarah Donohue
“My Dad, Brian Donohue lived graciously and courageously with his rare cancer diagnosis, MDS, and at 59, on March 12, 2022, he took his final breaths surrounded by his family and closest friends. Running has truly helped so much through my grief journey and working towards finding light in the darkness of grief and loss. What I have found is that sadness, joy, darkness and light, they all coexist. You can always find light in difficult situations, which to me is how Gabe always lived her life, especially through her cancer diagnosis.”
Katie Moore
“I felt an immediate kinship the first time I heard Gabe. ‘It’s okay to struggle,’ she said, ‘but it’s not okay to give up on yourself or your dreams.’ When I looked fear and uncertainty in the face, Gabe reminded me, ‘Never underestimate your own inner strength.’ Gabe epitomized courage and joie de vivre in her ten-year battle with cancer. I take nothing for granted. I look about me as I run and think how lucky I am to exist in this brilliant, unforgiving world.”
Dylan Hesse
“When it comes to a cancer diagnosis, I was one of the lucky ones. In 2016 I was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which has a well understood treatment and a nearly 95% 5-year relative survival rate. Even understanding the treatment and statistics, the diagnosis was scary enough. New York City is especially exciting for me as around Mile 17 I will run past the hospital and medical offices where I underwent my RPLND and Chemotherapy in 2018.”
Tony Masciello
“Everyone or someone they love has had their life turned upside down by cancer. Gabe Grunewald gave us a heroic example of bravery in the battle against cancer and through BLG a way to join in the fight. Please help me run over cancer! I will be forever grateful to my physicians, PAs, nurses, radiation therapists and clerical staff who cared for me. Running for Brave Like Gabe will help me show my gratitude by helping others with cancer.”
Katie Heidke
“As an oncology nurse since 2009, this cause is very close to my heart. Every day, I see patients fighting for their lives, on clinical trials, hoping for their miracle. They rarely complain and are gracious throughout their treatments, no matter how awful they feel. And, while I will ask many times during training why I do this to myself, in my heart, I know it is because I can. I am grateful for the ability to run while people I care for at work cannot.”
Michelle Williams
“Running has changed my life. This sport & this community have given me more than I can ever repay. I feel a deep connection to Brave Like Gabe and genuinely believe (like Gabe herself) that running & physical activity are like medicine. I feel that both activity and the community we build around us play a critical role in each of our physical & mental well-being.”
Devin Walsh
“Running used to be the last thing in the world that I wanted to do, so you might ask, why are you running a marathon? The answer is Gabe Grunewald and the Brave Like Gabe Foundation. I was first introduced to Gabe in 2021 when I decided to watch 'The Courage to Run with Chip Gaines and Gabe Grunewald', little did I know that her story would change my life. I started running and haven't looked back. As a result, over the last 2 years I've not only lost 60lbs and seen awesome improvements in my overall health, but my mental health has also improved drastically! I owe where I am today to Gabe and to running and any time I feel like something is too difficult or I want to give up, I remind myself of what Gabe and so many others battling rare cancers go through for motivation.”
Lexi Baker
“I have been an avid runner since the fourth grade, and since I was in middle school, it has been my dream to someday pursue a career as a pediatric oncologist. Running for Brave Like Gabe allows me to combine my professional goals with my passion of running. In fact, I chose the Twin Cities Marathon as my first marathon since it takes place in Gabe’s hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Last October, I had the opportunity to wear a Brave Like Gabe singlet during the race, and hearing the crowds scream, “Go, Brave Like Gabe!” reminded me that I was running for something far greater than myself. I have continued to wear the same singlet in every race since then, and I plan to do the same in future races.”
Jillian Robinson
“I've done many races and fundraising efforts for Brave Like Gabe the past few years and an excited to make it "official" with this year's NYC Marathon. I've always resonated with the message of running on hope and never giving up. I've struggled with mental health issues for years, and while the cause may be different, the message of spreading hope is a powerful, sometimes lifesaving message.”
Susanna Kantor
“I learned about Gabe Grunewald from social media in 2018. Even though she has passed, I continue to be inspired and amazed at her resiliency to keep showing up for running and life. I am running for Brave Like Gabe because Gabe left a lasting legacy on the running community and her impact in rare cancer advocacy and research deserves the spotlight outside of the running world.”
Kristen Meadors
“Rare cancer has affected my life as both a teenager and as an adult. When I was in high school, a friend and teammate of mine was diagnosed with a rare cancer, undifferentiated sarcoma, that usually only affects older people. Then 7 years ago, when I was pregnant with my son, my mom was diagnosed with a rare kidney cancer. I believe that research of rare cancers and new treatment options have allowed my mom to exceed all expectations for her quality of life. I have never been to NYC and I have big goals to run my fastest marathon yet in honor of my friend and mother!”
Justin Grunewald & Billy Yang
“Billy and Justin met near the end of Gabriele's life. In the whirlwind of her last few days a food delivery service showed up with a weeks worth of Buca Di Beppo pasta from Billy. They became fast friends after this traveling down to Bandera 100k together and ultimately spending a week in Kauai, Hawaii. Their motto became just say yes, to friends, to adventures, to whatever life throws at you. Fittingly, we are running the New York City Marathon this year to raise money for Brave Like Gabe. To celebrate life, explore the city, eat all the food and make new friends. In loss, sometimes it’s the new friends and people you meet after that really keep you going.”
Maria Gaiser
“Gabe was my role model from the moment I learned of her story. I followed her journey for many years as I recovered from my own physical and mental health struggles, always reminding myself that there is bravery in allowing yourself to stay vulnerable and fiercely hopeful. Gabe set a powerful example for how to make peace with the uncertainty and adversity that life throws our way. She continues to inspire countless others to live bravely and love harder no matter how harsh or uncertain the reality. During tough training runs when I’m digging deep to find motivation and grit, I remember Gabe’s kick on the backstretch of the track even on her toughest race days and am reminded of what a gift it is to be able to run.”
Mike & Jessica Downes
“My wife Jess and I committed to running a half or full marathon in all 50 states after Jess's dad John had a debilitating stroke in 2016. The intent for this was to stay healthy as long as possible but we have also seen other benefits, like spending more time together on "date runs", reducing stress via running, and setting a healthy example for our kids. As avid Fixer Upper fans we chose to run the 2019 Silos Half Marathon in Waco, TX. It was there we learned about Gabe's inspirational story and at the start line we waved to her and said, ‘Go Gophers!’ Little did we know that she only had a few months left before she lost her battle with cancer. Since then we have supported Brave Like Gabe and discovered that some of our friends and acquaintances knew Gabe or were her teammate at the U of MN.”
Jenny Konjoian
“Out of all the famous runners in the world, Gabe stands out the most. Her documentary is something I watch periodically to reframe my perspective on life. She was a pure fighter and a lover of life, even when she grew closer to losing her own. She inspires me to be a stronger nurse and runner every day. It is truly an honor to run for her and her legacy <3 Brave like Gabe to the finish <3”
Malia Frey
“I'm familiar with ACC because I was diagnosed with the disease in 2001. At the time, I was an active runner and triathlete, also based in Minneapolis. The diagnosis leveled me. I had built an entire life and career out of staying fit and healthy, and I had no family history of cancer. ‘How could this be happening to me?’ I thought at the time. I was young and strong and felt entitled to a long life ahead. What was happening seemed terribly unfair. Sometimes I feel like I don't deserve this life that I've been lucky enough to live. ‘How could this be happening to me?’ I find myself wondering again. Honestly, I don't know the answer to that question. But as I train in the coming months and when I run in November, I'll hold my fate with gratitude. And if it hurts or feels pointless, I will remember how fortunate I am. I will put one foot in front of the other because I am lucky enough to do so. I can be brave, like Gabe, to honor those who deserved better but took the shorter straw with grace and dignity so the rest of us can flourish.”