I?m running the Chicago Marathon for Team CCF, in honor of my dad, Paul Murphy, to raise funds for research into cholangiocarcinoma ? a rare and aggressive bile duct cancer. My dad, a Boston native, was incredibly proud that I became a nurse, and he had a deep appreciation for the extraordinary nurses at Dana-Farber, Brigham, and Beth Israel who cared for him throughout his cancer journey.

All proceeds will be donated directly to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. These shirts honor both the nursing profession and the compassionate caregivers who made a difference in his life, while supporting the fight against cholangiocarcinoma.

My dad was diagnosed with stage IV bile duct cancer in March 2024 and passed away just nine months later, on December 14, 2024. Like many families facing this disease, we were devastated by how advanced it was at diagnosis and by the limited treatment options available.

Cholangiocarcinoma affects about 10,000 people each year in the U.S., yet research, funding, and awareness remain limited. It is often discovered at a late stage, making it extremely difficult to treat and contributing to its poor prognosis. More awareness and dedicated research are urgently needed to improve early detection and develop better therapies.

Thank you for supporting this cause and helping advance research, awareness, and hope for patients and families affected by cholangiocarcinoma.