Next Stop: Kilimanjaro 2026 for Damon Runyon Cancer Research

The biotech industry can do amazing things when concentrated on an audacious goal.

Like curing cancer.

I’m fired up to announce the next Timmerman Traverse for Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. This group of 23 biotech executives and investors are training to hike up to the summit of Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa (elev. 19,341 feet), in February 2026.

Together, we’re raising $1 million for the next generation of bold and brave cancer researchers in the US.

Meet the Kilimanjaro 2026 team:

[Show slideshow]

• Luke Timmerman, founder, Timmerman Report (team leader)
• Meg Alexander, president and COO, Ovid Therapeutics
• Eric Fischer, professor, Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; professor, Harvard Medical School
• Antonio LaPorte, Timmerman Traverse-Damon Runyon Fellow, postdoctoral researcher, Harvard University
• Kim Kamdar, managing partner, Medical Excellence Capital
• Michael Langer, co-founder and managing partner, T.Rx Capital
• Hong I. Wan, co-founder and CEO, Tallac Therapeutics
• Linda Bain, venture partner, Atlas Venture
• Sam Kessel, senior associate, Locust Walk
• Ben Scruggs, partner, Hatteras Venture Partners
• John Cassidy, general partner, Kindred Capital
• Brad Watts, VP, business development, Conner Strong; CAR-T cell therapy recipient living in remission. Patient advocate, Emily Whitehead Foundation
• Lauren Mifflin, principal, company creation, Frazier Life Sciences
• Colleen O’Connor, EVP, market lead, East Coast and UK, BioMed Realty
• Leigh Brody, investment manager, UCL Technology Fund, Albion VC
• Heather Turner, CEO, LB Pharma; former CEO, Carmot Therapeutics
• Michael Gutbrod, senior associate, Sante Ventures
• Catherine Sabatos-Peyton, CEO, Larkspur Biosciences
• Theresa Tribble, entrepreneur; board member, Maxim Biomedical
• Sarah Warren, senior director, cell therapy search and evaluation, Gilead Sciences/Kite Pharma
• Sarah Spencer, principal, EcoR1 Capital
• Bharathi Sundaresh, associate, Flagship Pioneering
• Andrea Johnston, founder and CEO, Fuel for Female Founders

Each person is committed to raising a minimum of $50,000 for cancer research. Click on their names above and read their personal statements on WHY they are relentlessly pushing the frontiers of cancer research. You can donate directly to their campaign on Qgiv. You’ll get an automatic receipt for your tax-deductible gift. 

Your investment will pay dividends for generations. This is our chance to support science.

We are committed. We’re pushing ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually for the cause. 

Through it all, we’ll raise awareness, raise funds, and forge meaningful relationships through shared sacrifice for something larger than ourselves. We’ll have fun along the way. 

Interested in sponsoring this team? Reach out to any member of the team, or multiple members. For the full sponsor package, see Elyse Hoffmann: elyse.hoffmann@damonrunyon.org.

Thank you for your support in this moment of possibility against cancer.

Luke

BARRANCO SPONSORS (12,900 Ft): $25,000

SHIRA SPONSORS (12,500 Ft): $10,000

L to R: Henry Kilgore, Luke Timmerman, and Will Chen on Kilimanjaro, Feb. 2024. Henry and Will are Damon Runyon Fellows who participated in the inaugural Timmerman Traverse for Damon Runyon on Kilimanjaro, Feb. 2024.

Timmerman Traverse for Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. Summit of Kilimanjaro. Feb. 2024.