GO2 for Lung Cancer was named an Official Charity Partner for the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon, taking place on November 7. This year serves as the 50th celebratory running of the marathon. GO2 for Lung Cancer will again be among the more than 400 official charity partners providing thousands of runners the opportunity to run in the world’s most popular marathon.

Founded by patients and survivors, GO2 for Lung Cancer transforms survivorship as the world’s leading organization dedicated to saving, extending, and improving the lives of those vulnerable, at risk, and diagnosed with lung cancer.

“We work to change the reality of living with lung cancer by ending stigma, increasing public and private research funding, and ensuring access to care. The NYC Marathon is the perfect avenue for achieving these goals”, shares team manager Susan Smedley, National Manager of Endurance Programs for GO2 for Lung Cancer and a lung cancer survivor. “Our athletes all have a close connection to lung cancer and use their love of running to raise funds critical to changing the outcome of a diagnosis for everyone. One of our athletes this year is a 26 year old lung cancer survivor himself, a perfect example of what is possible through treatment advances made possible through research funding.” This year’s team is the largest ever for the organization, with 20 entries available. Each athlete will fundraise at least $4,000 for a spot on the team and an entry into the race of a lifetime.

“Supporting charitable causes and organizations are a long-standing tradition of the TCS New York City Marathon as it serves as one of the world’s largest fundraising platforms,” said Christine Burke, Senior VP of Strategic Partnerships, NYRR.  “The marathon exemplifies the running community’s spirit of giving back, and no group demonstrates that more than the thousands who choose to run for charity. We are proud to support the efforts of the GO2 for Lung Cancer team and the positive impact they have made to their community.”

The NYRR Official Charity Partner Program offers an opportunity for nonprofit organizations to raise funds to support their missions and services. Participating charities can offer guaranteed entry to runners who fundraise on their behalf.

Since its inception in 2006, the TCS New York City Marathon Official Charity Partner Program has raised more than $350 million for more than 1,000 worthy nonprofit organizations across the globe. Prior to the start of the official program, the New York City Marathon had served as an outlet for individual philanthropic runners since the 1980s.

The 2021 TCS New York City Marathon will commemorate the race’s 50th running with runners from all over the world participating in-person and virtually. The marathon began in 1970 and has become one of the most anticipated annual mass sporting events in New York City. This year’s marathon will once again bring together people of all ages and abilities reflecting the resilience and strength of the running community.

About New York Road Runners (NYRR)

NYRR’s mission is to help and inspire people through running. Since 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization. NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, virtual races, community events, free youth running initiatives and school programs, the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub, and training resources that provide hundreds of thousands of people each year with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life. NYRR’s premier event, and the largest marathon in the world, is the TCS New York City Marathon. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the race features a wide population of runners, from the world’s top professional athletes to a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.

Learn how you can support GO2 for Lung Cancer by participating in the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon—please contact Susan Smedley at ssmedley@go2.org or visit our webpage.