Aspiring physician-scientist Peter Tonzi always wanted to make a difference for kids fighting pediatric cancer.

Peter, who is a MD/PhD candidate at the NYU School of Medicine, worked in Dr. Katherine Janeway’s lab for two years supporting pediatric sarcoma research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. That experience led Peter to Team Lemon, the national charity racing team organized by Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF).

“I recognized the organization and knew that my mentor, Dr. Janeway, had received funding from ALSF and was always appreciative of that,” Peter said. “Through my research work, I got to experience how ALSF directly funded cancer research with a shot at making a difference.”

Peter worked with Dr. Janeway while completing his degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from Boston University. After graduation, Peter had a decision to make for the direction his science career would take. He chose research as his focus both in the lab and on the running course.

“There are far too many children who succumb to the disease,” Peter said.

He also had the opportunity to meet children battling cancer.

“These children were some of the strongest and most inspiring children that I had met,” he said.

Peter knew he wanted to apply himself in a field where his knowledge could give way to the greatest change.

Seeing firsthand how much change was needed, Peter knew he wanted to apply himself to making a difference for kids. In 2019, Peter signed up for the NYC Half Marathon with Team Lemon. Peter is no stranger to half marathons, but he’s never met one with such enthusiasm. With help from his Team Lemon coach, Peter prepared for this race by following a training regimen for the first time.

Although he finished a little over his goal of 2 hours, he was powered by the thoughts of all the children he can help take the steps they need to in their own races to beat cancer.

“Federal government funding for adult cancer research far outweighs pediatric cancer,” said Peter. “It's organizations like ALSF that help to fill in that gap.”

Less than 4-percent of the federal government’s total funding for cancer goes to childhood cancer research. Funds raised by Team Lemon runners last year alone assisted in bringing that gap closer together by more than $326,000. It’s thanks to dedicated researchers like Peter that more kids with cancer have a chance at living normal lives.

Race with us. Join Team Lemon! 
Run, walk, bike, or swim and help fight childhood cancer. When you join ALSF’s charity racing team, you’ll raise awareness by wearing one of our fantastic Team Lemon shirts at a race of your choice. Learn more and find the list of available Team Lemon races here.