I'm running the 2026 NYC Marathon in honor of Duane Herbel on behalf of The Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins.

When I was young, Duane showed me kindness, humor, and John Waters (in that order). Duane worked in pediatric oncology and emergency medicine at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, so I know he positively impacted many other lives too. This excerpt from a 2018 article published in Johns Hopkins Medicine’s News & Stories section captures Duane well: “I have always loved caring for children,” says Herbel. “Nursing skills are important, but in my opinion, the art of nursing is supporting children, parents, and the physicians and nurses who care for them.”