Phil's Friends

Hello! My name is Brendon Breen. I am a 40-year-old interior designer from Encinitas, CA, who is a believer, husband, and dad of two. I love, breathe, and live running. I have a goal to become an Abbott World Major 6-star finisher. Currently, I have 1 star, and Chicago will be my 2nd! After completing NYC and experiencing everything a world major has to offer, I decided that running Chicago, not only for myself but for something bigger than me, would only make that experience more special.

For the 2025 Chicago International Marathon, I will be running in support of, and fundraising on behalf of, a charity called Phil's Friends. While looking for a charity to run for, nothing was personally resonating with me until I came upon Phil's Friends. They are an incredible charity birthed from an inspirational story of Phil Zielke, who found hope and strength in Jesus Christ during a tough battle with cancer. This message of hope is now given to so many in a similar battle through various forms of support and care packages.

As someone who personally has had many family members battle with various forms of cancer and seen tangible evidence of the power of prayer, and strength found in the hope of Jesus Christ, I ask you to please join me in this journey of raising money and helping others for an incredible cause all the way to the finish line. Much love. God bless!

I'm Erin and I am excited to run my 6th Chicago Marathon on October 12, 2025. This time I am choosing to run the 26.2 miles on behalf of Phil’s Friends, a nonprofit that provides support to cancer patients throughout the United States. Volunteers with Phil's Friends meet at Hope Centers every week to prepare letters of encouragement and care packages to send to patients at home or in the hospital. This year they expect to support at least 10,000 individuals. In the future, they hope to expand internationally, increase their volunteer base and develop additional mechanisms to provide ongoing support to both cancer patients and their families.

Please consider contributing to this organization that is making a difference in the lives of people living with cancer. All donations are tax-deductible (GoFundMe will provide a receipt). More information about this charity may be found here: https://philsfriends.org/ and in this recent news article: https://wgntv.com/news/features/phils-friends-delivering-hope-to-cancer-patients-through-care-packages/. Any amount you contribute to this organization on my behalf will be meaningful and is appreciated.

Hi! I’m Sam, and I’m so excited to be running the 2025 Chicago Marathon this October as a charity runner in support of Phil’s Friends!

Phil’s Friends is a Christian charity that provides support and hope for those affected by cancer. All donations are used to provide these patients with care packages, as well as encouraging Cards of Hope every month that include motivational and devotional letters.

A little about me: I have been a runner since third grade. In the past, I have participated in a couple of half marathons; however, this will be my first ever full marathon, and I am so excited to be supporting Phil’s Friends throughout this!

Please consider donating to this cause and supporting me in reaching my fundraising goal! Thank you so much! :)

- Sam

Hi!

My name is Jenna Kortenhoeven, and I am running my 2nd Chicago Marathon for Phil’s Friends this October.

Please join me in raising money for those affected by cancer. Thank you in advance for your support, prayers, and encouragement.

Thank you for supporting my 2025 Chicago Marathon journey! I'll be running to raise funds for Phil's Friends, a Chicago-area nonprofit that provides Christ-centered support and hope to those affected by cancer.

As many of my family and friends know, I've been a lifelong runner. In high school, I ran cross country with Phil Zielke, the founder of Phil's Friends. Phil's own fight against cancer inspired him to serve others through his nonprofit's mission.

In my fifth Chicago Marathon experience, I'm excited to raise funds for this important work and just maybe get a PR along the way.

Hi! I'm running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon by raising money to benefit Phil's Friends. Any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about Phil's Friends: Phil's Friends provides Christ-centered support and hope to those affected by cancer through Care Packages, Card of Hope, and Hospital Visits.

Their vision is to expand to a sustainable international organization by implementing new programs, increasing services, expanding volunteer opportunities, and developing needed support for individuals and families affected by cancer.

I'm running the 2023 Chicago marathon to raise funds for Phil's Friends. Phil's Friends provides Christ-centered support and hope to those affected by cancer through Care Packages, Card of Hope, and Hospital Visits. Our vision is to expand to a sustainable international organization by implementing new programs, increasing services, expanding volunteer opportunities, and developing needed support for individuals and families affected by cancer.

Phil's Friends is a great organisation and one that I hope you join me in supporting.

Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit Phil's Friends, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

I am running the 2023 Chicago Marathon to benefit Phil's Friends, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause.

More information about Phil's Friends: Phil's Friends provides Christ-centered support and hope to those affected by cancer through Care Packages, Card of Hope, and Hospital Visits.

Our vision is to expand to a sustainable international organization by implementing new programs, increasing services, expanding volunteer opportunities, and developing needed support for individuals and families affected by cancer.

Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit Phil's Friends, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about Phil's Friends: Phil's Friends provides Christ-centered support and hope to those affected by cancer through Care Packages, Card of Hope, and Hospital Visits.

Our vision is to expand to a sustainable international organization by implementing new programs, increasing services, expanding volunteer opportunities, and developing needed support for individuals and families affected by cancer.

I'm running the Chicago Marathon on October 8th, 2023 to raise money for Phil's Friends. Phil's Friends is a Christ-centered non-profit organization dedicated to providing hope and support to cancer patients and their families through Care Packages and ongoing Cards of Hope.

Did you know you can go to www.philsfriends.org and order a FREE care package for your friend or loved one battling cancer? After the patient receives a custom care package, he or she can expect ongoing handmade cards every month for an entire year.

I started working at Phil's Friends last October and I'm amazed every day at how clearly God shows up and how many lives are changed through this organization.

Thank you for your support!

Hi, my name is Bob and I have decided to run the Chicago Marathon again, in October of 2023, to raise money for Phil's Friends, a Christ-centered cancer charity based in the Chicago area that provides support and hope to those affected by cancer through Care Packages, Cards of Hope, and Hospital Visits.

On March 30, 2018, my little brother, Joe Tighe, lost his long, courageous battle with cancer. During Joe's battle with cancer, he received cards, care packages and support frequently from Phil's Friends and he talked about how much this meant to him during that difficult time. Please help me make a difference by donating and/or volunteering your time to Phil's Friends. Together we can make an impact (I will match the first $5,000)! Thanks for your support!

More information about Phil's Friends: https://philsfriends.org/