Sister & Nurse Duo to Tackle Kids Cancer in 2022 TCS New York City Marathon

Runners around the tri-state area are getting ready to hit the ground running on Sunday, November 6 for the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon, including two of our very own Hackensack Meridian Health nurses. Nurses - and sisters - Jamie DeLaura and Alyssa Dunnigan from Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital are gearing up to run for Tackle Kids Cancer, which raises critical funds for pediatric cancer research and patient programs at The Children’s Cancer Institute. 

“I have been working in pediatric oncology for the past eight years, and I have loved every day of it,” says Jamie. “The children that I have met along the way have truly changed my life. I am inspired every day by our patients and their families, and how they persevere with smiles on their faces. The marathon may be difficult, but it is nothing compared to what they face every day. I am honored to run it for them.”

Jamie will be running alongside Alyssa, a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit nurse who has also taken care of our smallest oncology patients. 

“Pediatric cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children in our country and only 4% of cancer research dollars are allocated to pediatric cancer,” says Alyssa. “These facts are devastating, but the doctors at the Children’s Cancer Institute are working tirelessly to find a cure. Step by step, I know that we can help end childhood cancer, and this journey is just one more way to make a difference for children and families fighting childhood cancer!”

To date, the sisters have raised more than $6,000 and say, “We are looking forward to running in honor of our warriors that are fighting every day, and for those who did not win their battle with this terrible disease.”

Thank you, Jamie and Alyssa, and all of our other runners supporting Tackle Kids Cancer, for your strength and dedication. We wish you the best of luck and can’t wait to meet you at the finish line! 

Next Steps and Resources:

• The support of our donors means the world to us. Thank you for all that you do in support of our patients and team members - today and every day. MAKE A GIFT to support Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation.
• Sign up for our Foundation newsletter to receive news right to your inbox.