A New Beginning
Running was never part of Samantha’s plans, but after her Uncle Lance’s passing from pancreatic cancer, it became a way to honor him. What started as her tribute to him, became so much more- a journey of community, resilience, and a positive outlet- turning pain into perseverance, sadness into strength.
Little did she know, that her first run around Central Park would spark a journey far more meaningful than she ever anticipated.
And better yet, her brother Josh has decided to join her on this impactful journey as well.
Uncle Lance’s Story
Samantha and Josh’s Uncle Lance had always been a bright, comforting presence in their life. A brilliant cardiologist by trade, he was known just as much for his quick wit and cheerful antics as he was for his intelligence.
As Samantha recalls, “He was super, super goofy… he would send me an email every day of the summer just saying, ‘Hi.’”
Lance had a way of making everyone feel special. His endless jokes, warm presence, and simple gestures never failed to make everyone smile. He turned the ordinary into something memorable like helping his kids, niece, and nephew prep for exams. All while making them laugh along the way or even sending Samantha those simple but hilarious “Hi” emails every week while she was away at summer camp. No matter the situation, Lance’s ability to find joy and spread laughter made even the most mundane moments extraordinary.
A Meaningful Journey
When Lance was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in December 2020, it felt like the ground had shifted beneath their feet. They watched as he faced the disease with grace and strength, surrounded by the love of his wife Beth, his three kids, and the rest of their family.
In May 2022, after nearly two years of fighting, Lance passed away surrounded by his loved ones. It was a loss that left a hole in their family but also ignited Samantha and Josh’s desire to honor his memory.
When Samantha came across Project Purple, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting pancreatic cancer, she knew she’d found her path. Running for this cause felt like the perfect way to honor Lance—a challenge that mirrored his determination and a chance to contribute to the fight against a disease that had taken him too soon.
Samantha’s brother, Josh, felt the same way. Wanting to pay tribute to their uncle together, he decided to take on the NYC Half Marathon alongside her.
Together, Samantha and Josh are taking on the 2025 New York City Half Marathon as a powerful tribute to their uncle, running with every step to honor his memory and the fight against pancreatic cancer.
Building Endurance and Community
Despite having no running experience, Samantha embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. She began with short runs through the city, slowly building her endurance.
Training for the NYC Half Marathon has been an exciting journey. Samantha currently tackles two long runs each week, with plans to transition to a structured, more frequent training plan as race day approaches. Her brother Josh is matching her stride for stride, pushing through every mile alongside her as they train with a shared purpose: to honor their uncle’s legacy together.
Their dedication to this goal has been matched by the outpouring of support from family and friends. When she launched her fundraiser for Project Purple, Samantha didn’t anticipate any trouble fundraising as she knew friends and family would support her, Josh, and her uncle by donating.
“Within 10 hours of a single Facebook post, we reached the minimum,” a testament to the love and admiration people had for Lance and the incredible support they showed for the siblings’ mission.
Striding Towards A Goal
As the race draws closer, the significance becomes clear. “I’m looking forward to accomplishing a goal I always thought was unachievable,” Samantha says. It’s about channeling the goofy, determined spirit of Uncle Lance and carrying his memory forward with every stride.
When Samantha and Josh line up at the start of the NYC Half Marathon, they won’t just be running for themselves. They’ll be running for their Uncle Lance, and every family impacted by pancreatic cancer.
Most of all, they’ll be running knowing that Lance would be cheering them on—proud, supportive, and probably ready with another goofy inside joke to celebrate their incredible achievement.
To support Samantha and Josh’s fundraising efforts, click here to donate.
If you’re inspired to join our team at a race or other event, click here to see what we have to offer.
