Race for a Cure : une équipe record de coureurs pour le 26e marathon de Philadelphie

Emily’s Entourage (EE) is humbled to have such a large support system from the surrounding community. Over the years, countless members of the Entourage have taken matters into their own hands by taking the reins and raising funds towards EE’s singular mission of accelerating breakthroughs and a cure for nonsense mutations of Cystic Fibrosis (CF). One group that embodies that tenacity in more ways than one is the beloved Team EE, which is why EE is beyond delighted to announce the following…

Lacing up for the 26th Philadelphia Half and Full Marathon weekend on November 23-24, 2019 is a record-breaking, astonishing, 50 Team EE runners! This is the most runners EE has had in all 5 years of Team EE history!

“Marathon day with Team EE is one of my favorite days of the year! Running helps me stay focused in school and thinking about post-run feasts keeps me motivated. Plus EE has the best cheer squad!”

— Leah Marks, Veteran Team EE Runner

Annually, runners of Team EE take part in either the Half or Full Philadelphia Marathon. Each Team EE runner pledges to raise either $750 (half marathon) or $1,500 (full marathon) by race day. On the Friday night before race weekend, runners attends a celebratory dinner hosted by EE! Not only do they take part in some mandatory carbo-loading, but they also receive their official Team EE performance shirt and goodie bags. Most importantly, it is a chance for EE to showcase an extreme amount of admiration and gratitude for all of Team EE’s training and fundraising efforts in support of EE’s mission. During race weekend, Team EE takes a group photo before lining up at the start lines (as is EE tradition) and is greeted by roaring encouragement from members of EE’s cheer squad throughout the race route.

“My 6 year old niece has CF and is fortunate enough to have access to Kalydeco, which is a life-saving medicine for her. It is the most amazing thing and it motivated me to do something to help everyone living with CF get access to the same type of medicine. The work EE does is so inspiring and everyone on the team is so personable it makes it so easy to want to be a part of Team EE!”

— Cindy Piccerillo, Veteran Team EE Runner

This year, EE is fortunate to have a combination of veteran runners, keeping Team EE traditions alive and well, as well as exciting new additions. For the third year in a row, Emily’s siblings will be racing for a cure with Team EE! Coby will be pushing Honorary EE President Annie in her wheelchair in the half marathon, with some help from veteran Team EE members, including Alexa Schweitzer! EE Staff Kira Rentas, Senior Marketing and Program Coordinator, and Brittany Caserta, Special Events Manager, will also be hitting the pavement with Team EE this year after directly experiencing everyone’s heart and dedication.

As exciting and meaningful new additions to Team EE, members of CF companies will be participating, including runners from CF biotech company Proteostasis Therapeutics, Inc.!

“Meenu spearheaded this initiative and brought an incredible group of people together to run and share her admiration for this organization. In her words, ‘I want to support CF warriors who wage daily battles with CF and prevail over and over again. I want to honor their resilience, courage and intention.’”

— Chand Jiwani, Proteostasis Therapeutics, Inc.

Perhaps the most meaningful aspect of Team EE stems from the metaphorical representation running a half or full marathon holds within the space of fighting a fatal disease. Life with CF is the ultimate marathon. It requires perseverance, commitment, and an unparalleled drive to survive and to thrive. Every single member of Team EE represents the passion and solidarity of the EE community that stands behind the CF community in relentless pursuit of a brighter future for those with nonsense mutations of CF, who are still desperately waiting for life-saving treatments. Team EE acts as the physical manifestation of EE’s spirit and commitment with every dollar raised and every mile marker crossed.

“The camaraderie and amazing energy felt on race day is indescribable. Running a half or full marathon isn’t easy, but you forget that and all of the blisters when you are doing it for something greater than just personal fulfillment. Team EE is such a fun and exciting way to raise awareness and support an organization that I love so much!”

— Alexa Schweitzer, Veteran Team EE Runner

Words cannot describe the gratitude felt by everyone at EE to know that the best weekend of the year will be shared with so many dedicated, passionate runners and supporters with a shared goal to bring breakthroughs and a cure to 100% of the CF community!

Thank You to the 2019 Team EE for the Philadelphia Half & Full Marathon!

***If you are currently registered for the 2019 Philadelphia Half & Full Marathon and would like to show your support for EE, there’s still time to join TeamEE! Not a runner? Join the TeamEE cheering squad! For more information, reach out to Kira Rentas ici or Angela Marks ici.***