TCS New York City Marathon Team to Run November 2 in Support of WMCHealth Hospitals

VALHALLA, N.Y. (October, 2025) – On November 2, a special group of Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) employees, patients, and family members will run the TCS New York City Marathon in support of WMCHealth hospitals across the Hudson Valley. The team’s 10 members are all motivated by their own special stories.

Adam Cox, father of six-year-old Christopher, is running for the third year in support of Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital’s pediatric neurology department. Christopher has been under the care of Maria Fareri since he was two years old and was first diagnosed with epilepsy. Cox said he did not expect to run the 26.2 miles again, but fate intervened.

“This sequel was unexpected. I did not intend to make a habit of running 26.2 miles, but then again, I did not anticipate the wonderful experience of being part of the amazing community that is the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital. And, this year our family once again found ourselves in need of their care and support,’’ said Cox.

Otto Rene Palao Lopez is also running to show his gratitude. Palao Lopez donated his kidney to his 23-year-old son, Otto Jr., who needed a transplant. He praised healthcare professionals at Westchester Medical Center for their compassion and skill.

“WMCHealth team were like angels in our transplant process,’’ he said. “We are very grateful to God and to this professional team. Running changed my life, and I want to celebrate this miracle by running the New York Marathon.’’

Kelly Peach, a hospital social worker, said she wants to support WMCHealth for all it does to help families afford medical care. Kelly, who said she is turning 55 this year, said she is running her first marathon for a cause she believes in.

“I have seen a lot of changes take place in our healthcare system, and one thing I do notice is that it is harder for individuals and families to have access to affordable healthcare,’’ said Peach. She added, “Everyone deserves healthcare coverage, and this is a good cause, so I'd appreciate your support.’’

Other team members in this year’s race are:

Justin Williams

Jeanne Marie Kolka

Rachel Cross

Marc Stepper

Victor Stevens

Nabeel Ahmed

Juan Trias

Those wishing to support the WMCHealth team can learn more about the runners and make their pledges at wmchealth.org/marathon

WMCHealth first started sponsoring a team in the NYC Marathon in 2016, and runners have raised a total of $417,432 for the hospital during that time.

About Westchester Medical Center Health Network

The Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) is the pre-eminent provider of integrated health care in New York’s Hudson Valley region, serving nearly 2.5 million residents across more than 6,000 square miles. A 1,700-bed healthcare system headquartered in Valhalla, New York, including nine hospitals on seven campuses and 60 ambulatory care sites, WMCHealth is home to the region’s only Level I (adult and pediatric) trauma center and the only Academic Medical Center between New York City and Albany. The Network employs more than 13,000 people and has nearly 3,000 attending physicians – seeing nearly 300,000 unique patients every year, and is the State’s largest Medicaid provider north of New York City, serving 1 in 3 Medicaid patients in the region. WMCHealth also features Level II and Level III trauma centers, a nationally renowned pediatric hospital that is the region’s only acute care children’s hospital and leading pediatric hospital across the country, the region’s only Level IV NICU, the region’s only Organ Transplant Center, several community hospitals, and dozens of specialized institutes and centers. The Network also includes Comprehensive and Primary Stroke Centers, Burn Center, skilled nursing, and one of the largest mental health systems in New York State. For more information about WMCHealth, visit WMCHealth.org or follow WMCHealth on Facebook.com/WMCHealth or Instagram.com/WMCHealth.