Team EE rüstet sich für den 25. Philadelphia Halb- und Vollmarathon!

Emily’s Entourage (EE) is lacing up for the 25th Philadelphia Half and Full Marathon on November 17-18, 2018. After four years hosting #TeamEE at the Philadelphia Marathon, EE has reached a new milestone this year with an astonishing 16 runners! All will be hitting the pavement hard in 2 weeks, racing for a cure for nonsense mutations of Cystic Fibrosis (CF).

2017 #TeamEE at dinner the night before the race.

To join #TeamEE, runners register for the half or full marathon and pledge to raise either $750 (half marathon) or $1,500 (full marathon) to go towards research and drug development for nonsense mutations of CF. The Friday evening before, EE holds a celebratory dinner for the team to showcase comradery and gratitude for their amazing fundraising efforts, and to carbo-load before the big event! They receive their #TeamEE swag and gear up for the energetic days to follow, where they will be met with ecstatic cheers from the mighty Entourage through every step of the way. And each year, #TeamEE is joined by EE Co-Founder Emily’s younger siblings, Coby and Annie, with Coby pushing honorary president Annie in her wheelchair in the half marathon, and many other #TeamEE members jumping in to help along the way. Talk about a team effort!

2017 #TeamEE on race day.

#TeamEE at the Philadelphia Marathon is continually filled with fun and accomplishment, just hear from two runners Teresa Byrne and Paul Collins:

“I met Emily and her mother at a patient advocacy seminar hosted by Penn Orphan Disease Center in May 2016. Her speech that day brought me to tears, and I knew then I wanted to be involved with this organization. I was already registered for the marathon, so I thought it was a perfect way to get involved.

Everyone with #TeamEE has been warm, friendly, supportive and more than anything – energetic! It’s amazing to be surrounded by so many wonderful people so passionate about this cause and I hope I can continue to support Emily’s Entourage for years to come.” – Teresa Byrne, #TeamEE runner since 2016

“This will be my 3rd time running the half marathon, and over the past two years I have run each step of the way with Coby and Annie. It is truly one of my favorite days of the entire year, and while sometimes painful, there is no better feeling than hitting the finish line.

My friends and family have all been super supportive in helping hit our fundraising goals, and I would seriously encourage anyone and everyone to join us. It is challenging and rewarding and the feeling at the end makes every minute worth it.” – Paul Collins, #TeamEE runner since 2016

Since the inaugural #TeamEE in 2014, EE recognizes the metaphorical nature of a marathon when battling a fatal genetic disease like CF. It is a long and winding road, often littered with uphill battles, but discipline, perseverance, purpose, and encouragement from the sidelines are key to survival. #TeamEE perpetuates hope for a brighter future for those in the outlying 10% of the CF population with nonsense mutations who do not have any life-saving treatments in the market or late-stage clinical development.

2017 #TeamEE after crossing the finish line!

Huge THANK YOU to the 2018 #TeamEE line up! Check out their fundraising pages and help them reach their goal!

***If you are currently registered for the 2018 Philadelphia Half & Full Marathon and would like to show your support for EE, it’s not too late! Join #TeamEE by reaching out to Angela Marks at angelamarks39@gmail.com or Kira Rentas at kira@emilysentourage.org***