Neurosurgeons of New Jersey leaders to run NYC Marathon for education and cancer research

Dr. Geoff Appelboom and Ali Fathali will run the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 1, raising money for Success Academy and brain cancer research through Fred’s Team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Their efforts tie the race to school funding and cancer research support.

Why it matters: - The marathon fundraiser links a high-profile endurance event to two causes with direct community impact: K-12 education and brain cancer research. - The effort channels donations to Success Academy and to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Fred’s Team program.

What happened: - Neurosurgeons of New Jersey’s Dr. Geoff Appelboom and Chief Marketing Officer Ali Fathali will run the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 1. - Dr. Appelboom will support Success Academy, a New York City network of public charter schools. - Fathali will raise funds for brain cancer research through Fred’s Team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. - Dr. Appelboom practices at Neurosurgeons of New Jersey’s Wayne location. - Fathali is based in Bergen County.

The details: - Success Academy serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade. - The school network offers academic instruction and programming in arts, chess, debate and athletics. - More information about Success Academy is available at successacademies.org. - Fred’s Team is Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s official running program. - The program raises funds for cancer research and clinical trials at MSK. - Fred’s Team lets participants direct support to the research area they care about most. - Fathali’s fundraising effort specifically supports brain cancer research. - Supporters can contribute through Dr. Appelboom’s Success Academy fundraising page or Fathali’s Fred’s Team page supporting brain cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering. - Fathali also shared a “Running for Michael” video about his cause.

Between the lines: - The marathon gives Neurosurgeons of New Jersey a public platform tied to service, philanthropy and patient-facing awareness. - Dr. Appelboom’s education focus and Fathali’s cancer research focus broaden the campaign’s appeal beyond healthcare alone.

What's next: - Both runners are set to compete in the marathon on Nov. 1. - Fundraising will continue through their respective campaign pages leading up to the race and around race day.

The bottom line: - The race is doubling as a fundraiser for school opportunities and brain cancer research, with two local healthcare leaders using the marathon to drive donations.