Hi my name is Andy. I’m excited to announce that I am running the NYC Marathon with Team Van Andel Institute this year to raise funds that will support cancer research. Like many, the pandemic hit me hard and I lost my uncle due to cancer. When he passed away, it felt like my world had been turned upside down. He was like a second father to me. In addition to facing the realities of losing a loved one, my uncle also lived in Taiwan. I was forced to cope with his loss on my own as I could not travel to Taiwan due to the COVID-19 restrictions. 

With my uncle’s passing, I needed a way to escape. That's when I discovered the joy of running. This sport helped me find a sense of peace and clarity that I had been missing. Little did I know that running would take on a new significance in my life. It was the one thing that lifted me out of my grief and helped me focus on something positive. I knew that I wanted to do something special with my newfound love of running. I decided to participate in my first NYC marathon and raise money for cancer research to honor my uncle. 

I know that times are tough and many are struggling financially. If you can spare anything, no matter how small, I would be grateful for your support. Whether it's a donation, a message of encouragement, or simply sharing this fundraiser with your network, every bit helps. If you kindly choose to donate, please consider a fixed donation amount or pledge an amount ($1, $5, $10, $20, $100, etc) per mile in this race (a total of 26.2 miles). 

Let's run for a cause and make a difference in the fight against cancer!

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Thank you for supporting the Van Andel Institute's (VAI) 2023 New York Marathon team! Your gift enables us to continue funding groundbreaking scientific research and develop programs that have a national impact on K-12 and graduate education. You can learn more about how our scientists are turning hope into action for millions of people affected by cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and other devastating diseases by visiting our website, vai.org.