Kris tells the story of meeting Sarah, whose son Jack lost his battle with neuroblastoma, and how that friendship eventually led to the 26.2 in 2026 campaign. Whether you choose to run a marathon, complete another epic challenge, or simply walk 26 miles during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, this initiative proves that ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact on childhood cancer research.
We also discuss the emotional significance of the Honolulu Marathon, why pediatric cancer research desperately needs more funding, how one family's fundraising helped fast-track a promising treatment through the FDA, and how every dollar raised brings hope to children and families facing cancer.
If you've ever wanted to make a real difference, this episode is for you.
Get Involved with Beat Childhood Cancer
Learn more about 26.2 in 2026, register for an event, join Team Beat Childhood Cancer, or make a donation.
Website: https://beatcc.org/run/
In this episode, we discuss:
• Kris' journey into Beat Childhood Cancer
• Sarah's story and losing her son Jack to neuroblastoma
• How a local nonprofit became the national Beat Childhood Cancer Foundation
• The inspiration behind 26.2 in 2026
• Raising $2,600 while completing 26.2 miles or another personal challenge
• Walking 26 miles during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month as an alternative way to participate
• Team Beat Childhood Cancer, race support, swag, and community involvement
• Participating individually or with friends as a team
• Why the Honolulu Marathon has such special meaning for the organization
• The importance of improving quality of life after pediatric cancer treatment
• How families raised $1 million to fast-track a promising treatment through the FDA
• Why every fundraising effort—large or small—can save lives
• How to join the movement and get involved
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Introduction & why this episode matters
00:51 – Meeting Sarah and discovering Beat Childhood Cancer
01:28 – Jack's story and the fight against neuroblastoma
02:36 – How Beat Childhood Cancer became a national movement
03:38 – What is the 26.2 in 2026 campaign?
03:50 – Why anyone—not just runners—can participate
04:15 – Walking 26 miles during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month
05:05 – Creating teams and making the challenge your own
06:38 – Why the Honolulu Marathon means so much
07:29 – The need for better pediatric cancer treatments
08:23 – How one family's fundraising helped change another child's life
09:49 – How to register and get involved
10:05 – The future of the campaign and expanding to more races
11:11 – Finding purpose through serving something bigger than yourself
About Kris Bachman
Kris's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kris.bachman/
Kris Bachman is a nurse practitioner, marathon runner, and the project manager for Beat Childhood Cancer's 26.2 in 2026 initiative. Passionate about helping children and families affected by cancer, Kris combines her healthcare background with her love of endurance sports to inspire others to challenge themselves while raising funds for lifesaving pediatric cancer research.
Kris's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kris.bachman/
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