Childhood cancer is a threat familiar to Harry Forbeck and Jackson Philippe, 18-year-old residents of Mill Valley.

Forbeck had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at age 13, and they both have a close friend, George Campbell, who survived ependymoma, a brain cancer, after being diagnosed at age 6.

It was this connection that inspired two Marin Academy graduates to run their own Ironman-style triathlon to raise thousands of dollars for brain cancer research in children. They spent months preparing for the June event — a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike race, and a 13.1-mile run — despite never attempting such a grueling feat.

Teenagers who call their efforts “Race for Hope” aimed to raise $100 for every mile to the $14,060 goal. Proceeds will benefit the Pacific Foundation for the Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium, a San Rafael-based non-profit organization co-founded by the Campbell family. They surpassed that goal by raising over $15,000 in just four weeks.

“This little struggle we’re going through puts into perspective the struggle kids have to go through to beat cancer,” Forbeck said.

“We wanted to choose something that is very challenging and really pushes us beyond our limits,” Philippe said.

According to Phillip, the idea for the triathlon fundraiser came from a high school project in which teenagers were tasked with completing a task to improve the community, themselves, or both. They decided to get in shape by helping a good cause.

They hired a strength and conditioning coach at Marin Academy to help them prepare for their event. Formally, Vorbeck never took up running or cycling, but did so as a hobby. Philip has swimming experience as a water polo player.

Source: Marin’s teens raise funds for childhood cancer research

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