Héroes que corren: Dra. Yael Mossé

NYRR is highlighting frontline and essential workers in our Heroes on the Run series. Running is a source of solace and strength, especially over these last several months, and we are grateful for the everyday heroes who keep our community safe and keep us running—sometimes while running themselves. These runners inspire us with their bravery, dedication, and selflessness and it is our privilege to recognize them. 

This week with the Virtual Volvo Cars for Alex Million Mile 5K, we honor Dr. Yael Mossé of Philadelphia as our Hero on the Run.

Yael started running as a way to get back in shape after having her first child. She has gone on to complete a few half marathons and numerous shorter-distance races. Since 1997, Yael has worked in pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, first as an oncologist and now also as one of the funded researchers for Alex’s Lemonade Stand. She treats patients who have very aggressive forms of childhood cancer and also conducts research for potential new therapies to address tumors and cancers. She’s pictured below with her husband, Dr. John Maris, the doctor who treated Alex Scott, for whom Alex’s Lemonade Stand is named. “This is an old favorite photo of us in the lab,” she said.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Yael was faced with a new set of challenges in treating her patients and the atmosphere at work drastically intensified. Rather than entire families allowed in the room with her patients, now only one parent was allowed in the room with them. On occasions, some of the parents in her patients’ rooms tested positive for COVID-19 after they had been with their child as they underwent chemo. Additionally, Yael has had to navigate how her patients can access experimental cancer drugs for which they typically would travel to another state, as travel has been restricted.

Through it all, running has been her therapy. She’s run almost every day during the pandemic—four-mile runs are her favorite—to relieve stress and keep her mind and body strong.

“Working on the pandemic frontlines has been humbling and a privilege,” she said. “Running makes my mind stronger and this gives me the strength to help others in need.”

Follow #HeroesOnTheRun to join us in celebrating Yael and all our everyday heroes. NYRR will feature a runner who is serving or served on the front lines of the pandemic as our Hero on the Run for each of our remaining virtual races in 2020. Learn more and complete our survey if you'd like to be considered as a Hero on the Run.