08/14/2026
Meet the SkyHope team for the 2026 NYC Marathon!
Meet Michael! 🧡✈️ As a fourth-year medical student headed into internal medicine, Michael has seen how much a difference reliable transportation can make for patients and families facing serious illness. That truth hit home when his best friend needed urgent air support after a bad ski jump landing, an experience that showed him exactly why SkyHope's mission matters. Running has been his outlet through the demands of medical school, and taking on the NYC Marathon for SkyHope gives that outlet a deeper purpose.
Support his journey: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/SkyHopeNYC2026/MichaelLi
Meet Lea! 🧡✈️ Lea has seen firsthand how much support and access matter during serious illness within her own family, and that's what makes SkyHope's mission to keep people connected to care and to loved ones so meaningful to her. Running became part of her life during her 100-pound weight loss journey, and she's since built a career as a coach helping others discover the same strength and discipline she found. This will be her first marathon and first time fundraising, and she's excited for every mile to carry a purpose bigger than herself.
Support her journey: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/SkyHopeNYC2026/LeaJennings
Meet Jack! 🧡✈️ Running has been Jack's outlet for years, and finishing this year's NYC Half only sharpened his drive to take on the full marathon. Having lived in both New Jersey and New York City, he's long dreamed of running the five boroughs for a cause he truly believes in and with SkyHope, every mile he runs helps get a family to the care they need.
Support his journey: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/SkyHopeNYC2026/JackPerry
Meet Brianne! 🧡✈️ Brianne's grandfather, a Marine, passed away in 2024 after battling pancreatic cancer, and watching her family navigate that experience showed her how much weight SkyHope's mission can lift for veterans and their loved ones. This will be her first marathon after completing four half marathons, and she's bringing fundraising experience from raising over $4,000 for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta in college. Running NYC for SkyHope is her way of honoring her grandfather while putting her love of running toward something bigger than herself.
Support her journey: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/SkyHopeNYC2026/BrianneLuque
Meet Anna! 🧡✈️ Anna was drawn to SkyHope after watching family and friends run for the cause, including her future brothers-in-law Joe and Kevin Brand, who've both run NYC for SkyHope before. As a nurse of six years, she's seen how much the burden of medical bills can weigh on patients, and loves that SkyHope's free flights let families focus on healing instead. This will be her first marathon after running her first half last year, and having played softball in college, she's excited to be part of a team again, this time bringing together people from all walks of life for one cause.
Support her journey: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/SkyHopeNYC2026/AnnaFisher1