I'm fundraising for... gary
People ask me all the time what keeps me at VEG. Without hesitation, it’s the culture and the people, the way we show up for others, the openness, the accountability, the belief that what we do matters.
And the truth is… that’s not new for me.
That’s how I was raised.
My dad or as we all called him Gary was a cardiologist, and my whole life I was in awe of the lives he impacted. His office felt like a second home, walls covered in family photos, a big wooden desk molly reminded me we would hide under while he showed us X-rays and dictated notes. I’d call the hospital as a kid and just say, “Can I talk to my dad?” and somehow, he was always on the line. (My “Emergencies” consisted of, “Can you take me to get my nails done after you get home from work” or “Can you tell me if im about to die or just have a headache”
He didn’t just practice medicine, he practiced humanity, kindness, generosity, humor, and showing up fully for every person in front of him.
When I was 14, he was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer.
But because of research and clinical trials, we got 18 more months with him. Time we wouldn’t have had otherwise.
That experience shaped everything for me.
It’s why I believe so deeply in what healthcare can do, and why being surrounded by people who live those same values means so much to me.
To this day, people still come up to me to tell me how much my dad impacted their lives...not just through his care, but through who he was. I try to carry that with me every day.
So I’m running the NYC marathon for him.
And I’m running to fund research that could give someone else more time.
And for the record… there is absolutely no way in hell Gary would have run a marathon ✨
If you feel moved to donate, share, or support in any way, I would be incredibly grateful 🤍
My Achievements
Hit 50% of Goal
Added a Blog Post
Received 5 Donations
Updated Profile Pic
Reached Goal
Fundraising page
Thank You to My Donors
$1.02k
Carol Goodman
$1.02k
Anonymous
Your our hero Laura
$520
Valerie Friedman
Daddy would be so proud of you
$368
+dg
LFG
$270
Andrea Roberts
Go Laura!! so proud of you!!
$270
Carol Goodman
$263.75
Onidia
You’re a great young lady and your dad is smiling in heaven!
$263.75
Timothy Quinn
$263.75
Paula Brillon
Have a wonderful marathon time. And thank you for the beautiful tribute to Gary on Instagram , and for running for Lusrgarten
$250
Matthew
$200
Cathy Wilhelm
$111.25
Alexa
$111.25
Nick Prose
Run Laura Run!! ❤️
$106.82
Casey Quinn
$106.82
Joan Baum
Wonderful foundation in honor of a very special man 🩷
$106.82
Theresa
$106.82
Jessica Haverlin
$106.82
Rosemary Dilascio
You go girlie! Love you ❤️
$106.82
Nancy Pisani
You got this!!!!!♥️♥️♥️
$100
Cavanagh Family ❤️
LOVE YOU SO MUCH ❤️❤️
$100
Jill Leffel
I know how much this chase means to you. GO GET EM!
$57.38
Nellie Squeo
So proud of you !!
$57.38
Isabel H
$57.38
Nicole
YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!
$55.66
Heidi Friedman
$54.86
Winslow Yost
$54.86
Bri Filippini
Love you girlfriend cheering you on!
$54.86
Andrew Barber
$54.86
Heather Magnuson
You’re a rockstar and an inspiration!! ❤️🙌🏼
$54.86
Mikayla Ciotta
$54.86
Shannon Mullen
RUN LAURA RUN !!!! You are the coolest 💛 can’t wait to cheer you on!!!!
$54.86
Barbara W
I’m so happy you’re able to run this marathon in honor of your dad and memory of all the others in our family
$54.86
Mary-faith Tantillo
Great work!
$53.66
Bella Nappi
You’re such an inspiration♥️
$50
Natalie Dilascio
I am so proud of you little sister! I can’t wait to cheer you on. Love you and Gary so much 💕
$50
Natalie Dilascio
You amaze me little sister!!! Love you and Gary infinitely!
$50
Nino Nastasi
$50
Fleur Jones
Run Laura run!!❤️
$39.63
Victoria Dibenedetto
All the best with your run!
$39.63
Alanna Siegel
Love you and your family ❤️
$28.88
Anonymous
Going to crush it!
$28.88
Julia Baum
so proud of u and Gary would be so so so proud of u. can’t wait to see you crush it.
$28.88
Liam Quinn
$27.88
Marianne Raia
For those we have lost too young to this terrible disease.. Love you laura
$27.88
Sydney Hochberg
❤️❤️❤️❤️
$27.88
Emily Malfitano
So proud of you!!! Go get ‘em!
$27.88
Melanie Hernandez
Kick ass laura!!!!!
$27.88
Dani Roney
Go Laura, Go!! I am so inspired by you and your story!
$27.88
Anonymous
$27.88
Amanda Weiss
$25
Alexa O’daniel
You are a rockstar! I’m beyond proud
$22.42
Anonymous
💕
$17.01
Ali Torregrosa
You are so inspiring!! I am beyond proud of you!
$17.01
Mckenna Russell
So proud of you!
$11.46
Hannah Mackler
GO LAURA GO!!!!!!
$10
Laura, you were at my NYC marathons I believe sitting on top of a mailbox. We will be at yours as part of Team Laura in memory of Gary. Your tribute on your instagram page and your memories of Gary were so touching. We are grateful to be able to help you reach (and you will likely exceed) your goal for Lustgarten.