On Nov. 1, Kate and Caroline Stevens will run the New York City Marathon together with Fred’s Team for the second time.
Fred’s Team is the official running program of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), the hospital that treated Kate as a child when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Her younger sister Caroline provided a life-saving bone marrow transplant when she was just 4 years old, and 19 years later, they’re ready for another marathon.
“This Nov. 14, just two weeks after the marathon, will mark 19 years since my bone marrow transplant, donated by Caroline, that saved my life. To be able to run 26.2 miles together nearly two decades later is something that neither of us takes for granted,” Kate said.
Training for the marathon is a challenge that the sisters are taking head on.
“Training for the marathon has certainly been a lot of work, but it is also such a privilege to be able to take on this challenge together,” Kate said.
Caroline was too young to remember most of Kate’s childhood sickness, but that doesn’t make the upcoming experience any less meaningful.
“Looking back now, I feel incredibly grateful that I was able to be her bone marrow donor and play a part in helping her get better. At the time, I don’t think either of us could have imagined that nearly 19 years later, we would be running marathons together!” Caroline said. “It’s really special to be able to share this experience as sisters, and even more meaningful knowing that we’re raising money to help other children and families going through what ours went through.”
100% of proceeds raised through Fred’s Team support cancer research at MSK, which has totaled over $136 million since 1995.
“It is such an honor to raise money for pediatric cancer research at MSK, especially knowing that every single dollar we raise will go directly back to supporting families on the ninth floor and the research that saved my life. “ Kate said.
Kate still has struggles and has had to take medication every day since she was 5 years old related to her cancer or the effects of the illness. Beyond that, the long-term effects of her treatment include premature ovarian failure and infertility.
“Once cancer touches your life, your life is forever changed. I haven’t known a life without cancer,” Kate said.
Beyond the marathon, Kate is looking to give back even more; she is currently interviewing for medical school.
“My desire to go into medicine certainly draws inspiration from the doctors at MSK who saved my life,” she said. “As I’m interviewing for medical school right now, I’m constantly thinking of the physicians who cared for me as a child, and how profoundly their work has shaped not only my life, but also the kind of physician I hope to become.”
Kate and Caroline Stevens have faced significant challenges together and are now ready to take on another 26.2 miles.
