Three mothers who once connected through the fear and uncertainty of their children’s cancer diagnoses have turned their shared experience into a powerful story of friendship, resilience and hope.

Sheena Lawrick, Sherie Buell and Laura Lang came together after their children were diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare form of childhood eye cancer.

Their families faced months of medical appointments, treatments and difficult decisions at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

Now, the three women have been brought together by another challenge: preparing for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon to raise money for childhood cancer research.

Their story was featured by ABC News on November 1, highlighting how an unexpected friendship helped three mothers navigate one of the most difficult experiences a family can face.

Three Families, One Terrifying Diagnosis

The mothers initially had little in common beyond the fact that their young children were receiving treatment for the same rare cancer.

Sheena’s son, Gus, was diagnosed with retinoblastoma at four years old. Sherie’s son, Noah, was diagnosed when he was just five months old, while Laura’s daughter, Holly, received the same diagnosis at three.

Retinoblastoma develops in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Treatment can be particularly challenging for young children, and families often face difficult decisions about preserving vision and protecting their child’s health.

All three children were treated by the same medical team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

A Friendship Built in Hospital Waiting Rooms

During months of appointments, procedures and waiting, the mothers began supporting one another.

They understood the anxiety of waiting for medical updates, the emotional strain of treatment and the fear that comes with hearing that a child has cancer.

Their shared experiences created a bond that extended beyond the hospital.

Instead of facing the uncertainty alone, they found people who understood exactly what they were going through.

Over time, the friendship became an important source of encouragement for all three families.

From Childhood Cancer Treatment to Marathon Training

After their children successfully completed treatment, the mothers decided to take on a challenge of their own.

They began preparing for the 2026 New York City Marathon, one of the world’s most famous long-distance running events.

Their participation was connected to Fred’s Team, the fundraising program supporting cancer research and patient care at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

The women wanted to turn the difficult experiences their families had endured into something positive that could help other children and parents facing similar diagnoses.

Their goal was not simply to complete 26.2 miles. It was to raise awareness, support research and recognize the medical professionals who had helped their families.

Running for Their Children and Other Families

For these mothers, every mile represented something deeply personal.

They were running for their children, for the families still navigating cancer treatment and for the researchers working to improve outcomes for young patients.

Sheena Lawrick explained in her fundraising story that her son Gus underwent multiple chemotherapy treatments and additional procedures.

His treatment involved repeated hospital visits and anesthesia, an experience that no family expects to face when raising a young child.

Today, his tumor has shown no signs of regrowth for more than a year, bringing enormous relief to the family.

Sheena dedicated her marathon effort to Gus and the medical team that gave him hope.

A Message of Hope Beyond the Finish Line

The story of Sheena, Sherie and Laura demonstrates how support from people who understand a difficult experience can make an enormous difference.

Their friendship began during one of the most frightening periods of their lives, but it developed into a lasting connection built around hope and determination.

Their marathon journey also highlights the importance of childhood cancer research and access to specialist medical care.

ABC News featured their story on November 1, 2026, as part of its coverage of the New York City Marathon.

What began in hospital waiting rooms became a shared mission to help other families facing childhood cancer.

For these mothers, the finish line represents far more than a sporting achievement. It represents the strength of their children, the support they found in one another and the hope that future families will have better treatment options.

Sources: ABC News, New York Road Runners and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

This article reflects reporting available through November 3, 2026. The mothers’ marathon participation and individual race outcomes should be distinguished; Sherie Buell was reported to have withdrawn from the race because of a stress fracture.