Meet Eileen Kennedy: Team V Three-Peat!
As a lifelong sports fan, Eileen Kennedy knows Jim Valvano’s famous ESPY Awards speech well. She’s watched it many times through the years and is not only inspired by his motivating words, but also by the impact the V Foundation has made on the cancer research landscape over the past three decades.
For Eileen, the V Foundation’s goal of achieving Victory Over Cancer® is very personal. She has seen the devastating effects of the disease in her own life, having lost multiple family members to cancer, including her father.
She is also a three-time cancer thriver herself and has seen research in action. In fact, Dr. Vered Stearns, a V Foundation grant recipient, was part of Eileen’s healthcare team during her treatment. Dr. Stearns is a renowned breast cancer expert and has been recognized as a cutting-edge research leader within the cancer field.
As she recovered, Eileen knew she wanted to celebrate the end of her treatment in a memorable way, but more importantly, to pay it forward to a cause that would benefit many others.
“I wanted to make a positive impact with my first marathon back after recovery in 2022,” said Eileen, who is an avid race participant, including many half-marathons and more than 10 marathons. “[I decided to] fundraise for cancer research and achieve my long-time goal of finishing the New York City Marathon.”
She signed up for the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon as a part of Team V, the V Foundation’s endurance sports fundraising program. The race was not an easy one for Eileen as she pushed through a stress fracture the entire 26.2 miles. Yet, with her enduring spirit, she achieved her marathon goal, and also far exceeded her fundraising goal – raising over $6,100 in just a few months for groundbreaking cancer research.
Eileen is a firm advocate in driving forward innovative research so more people can live long, healthy lives filled with their own aspirations and dreams. “Each of my cancers were caught early and treated successfully,” said Eileen. “I am so fortunate to be able to participate in an event like the NYC Marathon with Team V.”
Eileen at the 2023 NYC Marathon
As Eileen crossed the Central Park finish line in 2022, she already had her next goal locked in her mind: Join Team V again in 2023. And she did. And again in 2024. In total, Eileen has participated in the New York City Marathon three times and raised more than $20,000 for cancer research with Team V along the way.
As a cancer thriver, a marathoner, and a tireless advocate for cancer research, Eileen is the epitome of the “Don’t Ever Give Up!” mantra that Jim Valvano championed on the ESPYS stage over 30 years ago. She has proven year after year that by believing in yourself and in a mission worth fighting for, victory is within reach.
