Chris McDougall: South Philly Native Returns for PHL24

He’s profiled those who were Born To Run through the Copper Canyons of Mexico and others who were Natural Born Heroes in World War II. Now, journalist, author and ultra-marathon runner Christopher McDougall will lend his unique talents to the Fishtown Beer Runners team Legacy of Hope’s PHL24 2019, presented by the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – Jefferson Health.

Gearing up for its second year, PHL24 is a 24-hour stair climbing marathon to be held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s famous steps, beginning on September 20. The $100,000 fundraising goal will go directly back to the Philadelphia cancer community to support patients and researchers. McDougall said he chose to participate in the event after learning about it from friend and FBR founder, David April.

“He and I have become pretty good friends over the years. In fact, it was really weird: I was actually in Philly for an event [in 2015] and stopped by his house the day he got his initial [cancer] diagnosis,” McDougall said. “I was in Philly for an event with my second book Natural Born Heroes, and a group of us were going to run from Rittenhouse Square out to Fishtown, meet up with David and the Beer Runners and then run back [downtown].”

When McDougall arrived at April’s home, FBR’s founder hadn’t yet walked outside to help lead the run. April invited him inside and, according to McDougall, it was then that he learned from FBR’s founder about his fateful turn of medical events.

The friendship forged by the two men in the ensuing years led McDougall to accept the invite for PHL24 and join the FBR team.

“I’ve become so impressed by David and what’s he done with the Beer Runners over the years that they’re the only stamp of validity that I need. If David says he’s in, I’m in. His reputation is so solid that if he believes in something, I’ll take his word for it,” McDougall said.

It remains to be seen whether he will complete the entire 24-hour stair marathon, but aside from his Beer Runners teammates, McDougall also may not be coming in alone.

“I’m kind of feeling it out. My Amish running buddies out here [in Lancaster County] are interested and I got another couple of friends who are stair runners in New York that are interested, and I’ve been basically testing the waters to see what people will all sign up for,” McDougall stated.

“At the very least, I’ll join the Beer Runners team and go through the cycle around the clock with them. I know a couple of runners that are capable of doing a solo 24 hours, so I’m kind of hoping I can B.S. them into signing on for that, and I can just be their support crew. I know two runners that could totally do 24 hours, but I haven’t quite persuaded them to sign on yet.”

McDougall added that one of them is a well-known female endurance athlete and upon inquiring if she was capable of completing 24 consecutive hours of steps, she casually replied, “Yes!”

When asked if he had a goal for taking on PHL24, McDougall responded that he tore his hamstring the last time he ran steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and presently, he joked that his goal was to fight through the memory of that injury and get up and down the steps without embarrassing himself.

“Beyond that, it’s all gravy. We’ll see how things shape up. My dream scenario is that I persuade a couple of these ultra-marathon friends to come out and do a solo day and I can be out there to cheer them on, meet a bunch of people, just raise the energy and raise the awareness,” McDougall said.

Along with PHL24, McDougall discussed his familiarity with Legacy of Hope’s two-fold mission of supporting cancer patients in their fight and the ongoing task of cancer research – and it being a cause that unifies.

“Especially at times like this where’s there so much fighting and bickering about a lot of things, it’s just nice that there’s one thing where there’s nothing to bicker about. If you want to help someone who’s struggling to fight for their life, that’s something everybody can get on board with,” McDougall said.

McDougall remarked the fight is one of the few times in one’s life where there’s “no saving pennies” and one has to “put all their chips on the table.”

“Everybody knows that the number-one cause of bankruptcy in America is healthcare. If you’re diagnosed with something that’s potentially lethal, then you’re going to spend everything you’ve got and everything your family’s got. Beyond even the medical risk, it’s a horrifying financial risk,” McDougall stated.

Furthermore, McDougall also detailed his own personal connections to that same fight.

“A very close, dear cousin was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer, which had already reached into her body. She was given a miniscule percentage chance of living and unbelievably, successfully fought it and survived. Another close friend was dying of breast cancer and luckily, fought it and survived,” McDougall said.

“I always feel like you’re rare if you don’t know somebody personally who’s been battling with cancer. I feel like it’s all around us. And if you don’t know somebody, you probably will pretty soon.”

As for PHL24, McDougall is excited to return to his native Philadelphia for it. “I’ve never been to an event in Philly that hasn’t been a blast, you know? I was born and raised there, lived almost all of my life there. I still have a few connections in South Philly, where I was born. It’s always good to go home and tap back into the home blood,” McDougall commented.

“I’m just looking forward to it. I think it’s going to be a cool, fun, exciting party and I just anticipate a lot of fun.”

If you’re looking to participate in PHL24 and run the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art alongside McDougall, Bart Yasso, cancer survivors, cancer fighters, family members, friends and supporters, sign up here.

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Elliott Sina

Elliott is a medical student at Thomas Jefferson University’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College, driven by a commitment to advancing care for cancer patients through clinical insight and research. He leads Legacy of Hope’s research initiative, evaluating the impact of the Emergency Patient Support Network on patients’ quality of life. Through his efforts, Elliott aims to amplify Legacy of Hope’s mission, combining patient-centered care with meaningful, data-driven advocacy.

Mike 2

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Dr. Claudia Capparelli, PhD

Affiliations: Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center

Education: PhD, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy – 2011

Focus & Impact:  Focus on the role of the SOX10 transcription factor with regard to tumor cell heterogeneity and plasticity across multiple genotypes in melanoma. Investigating how SOX10 plasticity/heterogeneity affects the response to MEKi and anti-ErbB3 combinations in WT BRAF melanoma patients. 

Publications: Publications Link

Honors & Awards:

  • Legacy of Hope Merit Award

  • Outrun the Sun Melanoma Research Scholar Award

  • Unical Fellowship Visiting Scholar

  • International Pigment Cell Conference Travel Award

  • Best Poster Presentation, Ninth Annual Jefferson Post-doctoral Research

  • INPDAP Fellowship for Student Merit 

  • University of Calabria Fellowships for Student Merit 

Dr. Qing Chen, M.D., Ph.D.

Affiliations: The Wistar Institute, The Chen Laboratory, University of Maryland

Education: PhD,Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, State University of New York at Buffalo (Dean’s Award for outstanding dissertation) – 2006

Focus & Impact:  Focus is on the molecular mechanisms of brain metastasis originating from primary tumors like breast cancer, and the interplay between cancer cells and the stromal cells that populate the brain microenvironment. 

Publications: Publications Link

Honors & Awards​:

  • Legacy of Hope Merit Award

  • Jayne Koskinas Ted Giovanis Foundation for Health and Policy Award

  • Susan G. Komen, CCR Basic/Translational and Clinical application

  • The V Foundation for Cancer Research Award

  • Dissertation Research Award, Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation 

Nia Andrews

Bio Coming Soon

Rebecca Blinn

Bio Coming Soon

Carol Sollenberger

Bio Coming Soon

Maree Lavo

Bio Coming Soon

Bryan Lathrop

Bio Coming Soon

Kimberly S. Reed

An award winning international speaker, author, corporate trainer and diversity, equality and inclusion executive, nationally recognized thought leader, expert, strategist and advisor to some of the world’s most influential organizations in global professional services, health care, financial services, consumer products and pharmaceutical industries.

Kimberly is a seasoned leader in transforming organizations into high-performing enterprises and challenging leaders to live without limits, with more than 20 years of HR, talent acquisition, and diversity & inclusion experience; successfully turning around troubled diversity practices by designing, building, leading, and shaping high-performing cultures at global organizations with robust strategies, global employee development programs and enterprise-wide initiatives that have increased revenue growth and organizational brand eminence.

Michele Redrow

Michele is a Director on the Legacy of Hope board and also serves on the Executive Committee.

mary chicorelli

Professional:  Mary is a certified city planner for Philadelphia, a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association as well as the Philadelphia Bar Association, and the Pro Bono Honor Roll First Judicial District of Philadelphia.

Bio: Mary’s insight into the legal world is invaluable to Legacy of Hope, both in keeping our daily operations moving fluidly as well as making connections for our patients and their families when needed.

“Michael reached out to me about 2 years ago through mutual friends. We worked together to help a woman with stage 4 cancer get her electricity turned back on after it was shut off during the winter. I’ve been 100% supportive of Mike’s vision since then.”

joseph ruggieri, jr

Education: Bachelor’s of Science from West Chester University in Management and Finance

Bio: As a member of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.’s upper management team, Joseph brings a wealth of knowledge regarding finances, management, team-building and planning to the Legacy of Hope board. Joseph linked up with Michael, our President, and Wells Fargo began supporting Legacy of Hope annually.

“My father passed away from what started as Colon Cancer in 2015. Cancer is horrible and if there is something I can do to help others impacted I would want to be a part of it.”

David April

David is the founder of the Fishtown Beer Runners, an organization with chapters all over the world based here in Philadelphia.

dr. kevin kelly

Dr. Kevin Kelly leads Legacy of Hope’s Scientific Review Board to seek out and support the most promising cancer research in Philadelphia using a merit-based system.  He is Jefferson’s Director of Solid Tumor Oncology.

greg garber

Greg Garber is the director of Oncology Support Services at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center.

Gina Mancuso

Gina’s experience as the very successful co-owner of CoreFitness, LLC coupled with her expertise in planning special events makes her the perfect Vice President for Legacy of Hope. With energy, passion, and drive that makes her seem superhuman, Gina’s connection to our mission is a personal one.

“Both my father and my dear childhood friend were diagnosed with cancer within 3 months of one another. They were surrounded and supported by friends and family throughout their battle and until their passing. No one should suffer through a diagnosis alone and, without Legacy of Hope, some people would do just that.”

Michael Rowe

Awards:

Volatile Media Management’s Mover, Shaker, Changemaker Award – February 2017

Miles Mack Community Services & Leadership Honorable Mention – 2016 TJUH Emergency Department Technician of the Year, Physicians Choice Award – 2015

TJUH Emergency Department Technician of the Year, Physicians Choice Award – 2014

Bio:

With his free time so limited, Michael manages to fuse his work with his other passion: running. Whether it is with the Fishtown Beer Runners, our own Team Relentless Hope, or his closest friends, Michael can often be spotted on the streets of Philadelphia keeping himself fit and active.