Cancer Survivors Running Philadelphia Marathon Weekend to Support Cancer Research
PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia-based American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), a charity partner of the Philadelphia Marathon, has raised more than $430,000 for lifesaving cancer research with help from the AACR Runners for Research team, a diverse group of survivors, advocates, researchers, and those wishing to honor or memorialize a loved one.
Select team members are available for interviews to discuss their connection to cancer and why they chose to fundraise with AACR:
Grant Kawahatsu
Diagnosed with a rare blood cancer last year, Grant is running his first marathon a year after surgery. He has raised more than $11,000 for cancer research.
Grant was working in pancreatic cancer clinical trials when his father was diagnosed with the disease. His father remained optimistic throughout his cancer journey, holding onto his mantra: “Say thank you 1,000 times a day—because if you do, you won’t have time to complain.”
While navigating the challenges of his father’s cancer diagnosis, Grant came face-to-face with his own when he suddenly struggled to walk down the street without stopping to catch his breath. A CT scan revealed fluid filling his lungs and abdomen, and his right lung had nearly completely collapsed. Doctors diagnosed him with polycythemia vera (PV), a rare blood cancer, and he underwent surgery in November 2025 before beginning immunotherapy, which has helped bring his disease under control.
As he recovered, Grant decided to run his first marathon and joined the AACR Runners for Research team. After sharing his fundraising effort on Instagram, he raised $5,000 in his first 24 hours and has since surpassed $11,000. His father recently passed away, and as Grant approaches the marathon nearly a year after his own diagnosis and surgery, he carries his dad’s mantra with him. For Grant, the marathon represents resilience, healing, and the power of moving forward with intention.
VISIT GRANT’S FUNDRAISING PAGENatalie Luciano
Diagnosed with early-stage kidney cancer incidentally, Natalie is running the half marathon as part of her recovery.
Natalie is a nurse practitioner and a retired Army captain who has been a runner since high school and has completed half marathons for more than a decade. While training for the Disney Half Marathon in 2025, she developed severe abdominal pain and was diagnosed with appendicitis. During her evaluation, physicians also discovered a mass on her kidney, leading to an unexpected diagnosis of early-stage renal cell carcinoma.
Natalie underwent a partial nephrectomy and, because the cancer was caught early, required no chemotherapy or radiation. Now cancer-free and monitored through routine imaging, she considers herself fortunate that the disease was detected before it caused symptoms. As both a cancer survivor and a health care provider, the experience reinforced the importance of preventive care and cancer awareness. Running the Philadelphia Half Marathon with AACR Runners for Research will be a milestone in her recovery and an exercise in gratitude.
VISIT NATALIE’S FUNDRAISING PAGECONTACT
Media interested in speaking with AACR Runners for Research team members or AACR representatives can contact Kathleen Medora at [email protected] or 215-290-5408.