In May 2025, as my family traveled to Rhode Island to watch my mother receive an honorary doctorate in humanitarian service, my grandmother, who never misses a family milestone, stayed behind with what seemed like a simple stomach ache. Instead of joining us, she went to the emergency room. Hours later, she returned with news that felt like a death sentence and was told to see an oncologist immediately. After months of unexplained health complications, she was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer at the age of 81. My self-appointed “nurse”, who had cured my childhood fevers and headaches, suddenly needed more care than our family could provide on our own. A diagnosis like this demands urgency, and my mother and aunt worked tirelessly to find her the very best care. My grandmother helped raise me. As the constant in my life, she was there for every milestone: middle school graduation, high school graduation, and suddenly I was left wondering if she would be there for the next one.

Thanks to Dr. Elena Ratner and the extraordinary team at Yale Oncology, the answer is yes, and in May of 2026, she will be there to watch me graduate from Columbia University. I am running the 2026 New York City Marathon and fundraising for Tell Every Amazing Lady® because this experience changed everything. Before my grandmother’s diagnosis, we knew very little about ovarian cancer, but now we understand how critical early detection and genetic testing are, and how awareness can save lives.

My grandmother has faced this with extraordinary strength and bravery. She is my hero, and I cannot wait to run in her honor.

To donate to Sofia please visit Team Tell Every Amazing Lady®’s 2026 TCS New York City Marathon Fundraising Page. To apply for a future marathon, or to learn more about other races we are in, please visit Tell Every Amazing Lady®’s walk/run page today.