2026 Inlet Walk for Brain Cancer Research

Event Details

• Date: Saturday September 5, 2026
• Start Time: 8:30 am Walk Start Time at the 28th Street Beach Path
• Post Walk Social: To be held at the Windrift (79th street): 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

About the Inlet Walk

The 2026 Inlet Walk for Brain Cancer Research is a collaboration of the McNichol, Dunhour and Mack families in honor of Dennis J. McNichol III, Fred W. Dunhour III, and Jim J. Mack III. Each of them - a husband, a father, a grandfather, an uncle, old school Avalon guys, and a friend to so many - sadly all of them died from glioblastoma brain cancer in 2025.

• Diagnosis: Glioblastoma is an aggressive and fast-growing type of brain tumor that remains extremely challenging to treat.
• Survival Rate: Most patients survive less than a year after diagnosis, with Dennis living for 2 months, Fred for 6 months, and Jim for 10 months.
• Previous Lives: Each of them had previously led very active, healthy lives.

Contribution to Research

Thanks to your incredible love and support, last year's inaugural event raised over $50,000. This year, we will come together once again for our annual trek, honoring these men - the lives they lived and the love we will always carry for them. All funds raised support groundbreaking research led by Dr. Jay Storm and the team at the Center for Data Driven Discovery in Biomedicine (D3b) at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

• Role of Dr. Storm: Chief of Neurosurgery at CHOP and co-director of D3b, serves as a trusted guide and source of comfort to families.
• Mission: The Inlet Walk allows families to continue the battle against brain cancer while championing the fighting spirits of our dads.

Community Support

Your support also helps advance bold, collaborative science and brings hope to families facing brain cancer. The Inlet Walk is partnered with the Dragon Master Initiative, a 501c3 nonprofit supporting brain cancer patients and their families by advancing research through data sharing and innovation.

• Founder's Story: Dragon Master was founded by the family of David Pearson, who was only 16 when diagnosed with brain cancer.

Join Us

All participation is welcome! Join us for the entire trek, part of the walk, or for the 11:00 am social at the Windrift where we will celebrate Dennis, Fred, Jim, David, and D3b. We will gather in friendship and love to toast, laugh, and remember...

We invite you to walk with us or donate to support the walkers.

With Love and Gratitude

the McNichol, Dunhour, and Mack Families