Sisters to Run New York City Marathon for Cancer Research
Kate and Caroline Stevens will compete in the 26.2-mile race on November 1 to support Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Cancer
Sisters Kate and Caroline Stevens are set to run the New York City Marathon together on November 1, 2026. The pair is participating through Fred's Team to raise funds for pediatric cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Why it matters
The siblings aim to honor the medical team that treated Kate, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia during her childhood. Their participation supports ongoing research efforts at a facility that provided the life-saving bone marrow transplant Kate received from Caroline 19 years ago.
Fred's Team has raised over $136 million for cancer research since 1995, with 100% of proceeds directed toward scientific initiatives. The sisters will tackle the full 26.2-mile marathon course during the event.
The players
Kate Stevens
She is a childhood leukemia survivor who is currently interviewing for medical school.
Caroline Stevens
She is the sister of Kate and acted as a bone marrow donor when she was 4 years old.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
This is a world-renowned cancer treatment and research facility based in New York City.
Fred's Team
This is the official running program of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
The details
Caroline Stevens provided a bone marrow transplant to her sister Kate when she was 4 years old, a procedure that occurred 19 years ago this November. Kate has since navigated long-term treatment side effects, including premature ovarian failure, and is currently applying to medical school.
Timeline
Fred's Team began raising funds for cancer research in 1995.
Kate and Caroline Stevens run the marathon on November 1, 2026.
November 14, 2026, marks the nineteen-year anniversary of the bone marrow transplant.
Health Landscape
This effort follows a pattern of community-led fundraising established by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's long-standing research programs. Such initiatives are critical to maintaining the steady flow of capital required for ongoing oncology breakthroughs.
Participants supporting Fred's Team directly contribute to the financial sustainability of pediatric cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering. For those following the event, it highlights the long-term health journey and ongoing medical needs of childhood cancer survivors.
The takeaway
This story illustrates how personal experiences with cancer treatment can translate into sustained advocacy for medical research. It provides a reminder of the lasting impact of pediatric oncology treatments on long-term health and the importance of continued support for survivors.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the field by visiting our Cancer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AmNewYork.
