Raising awareness & funds for small cell cancer research.
Join us to make a difference!
In July of 2020, we lost our father, husband, brother, and friend José dos Santos Correia after a courageous and quiet battle with a rare form of small cell cancer. In his honor, we created Small Steps for Small Cell — a fundraiser to fuel research, spread awareness, and carry forward his legacy with every step we take.
We invite you to support us by pledging a donation per mile or contributing a general gift of any amount. Together, we run with purpose. We walk with love. And we move forward — one small step at a time
Yale Gastrointestinal Tumor Biorepository
The Yale Gastrointestinal Tumor Biorepository (YGTB) is part of Yale's broader Yale School of Medicine Biobank, a centralized system collecting high-quality, clinically annotated biospecimens (tissues, blood, DNA, etc.) and data from patients for translational research. Researchers access these valuable resources, processed under standardized methods by experts in Yale's Pathology and Digestive Diseases departments, to study conditions like pancreatic cancer, IBD, and liver disease, integrating clinical data for comprehensive understanding.
The GI Tumor Biorepository now houses blood and tumor tissue from over 1700 unique patients. This resource has been instrumental in supporting various research projects, including studies to explore genetic alterations that drive cancer progression and treatment resistance. Our commitment to maintaining and expanding this vital infrastructure reinforces our mission to drive meaningful progress in cancer research and patient care.
Contributions to the YGTB directly accelerate research that would otherwise not be possible, creating a foundation for future breakthroughs that can improve diagnosis, guide therapy, and ultimately lead to better outcomes for patients facing some of the most challenging cancers.
Movement was always part of José’s life. Long before Small Steps for Small Cell existed, he could be found running through the streets of Hamden, New Haven, and West Haven. Soccer matches, bike rides, and steady miles on foot were woven into his daily rhythm, not as training for a race, but as a way of staying connected to life, health, and community. Choosing a walk/run felt less like a decision and more like a continuation of that rhythm—a way for others to retrace the kind of miles he loved, and to turn movement into remembrance, purpose, and collective hope.
Why we take steps?
“May your feet feel light and every step, grounded and powerful”
— Lisa P., Donor
“Small steps lead to big impact!”
— Jaelen K., Donor
Support for the YGTB has helped generate critical research insights and data that fuel future studies and external funding for cancer research. Your philanthropy plays a vital role in accelerating the work of Dr. Kortmansky and his team to improve outcomes for patients facing gastrointestinal and other cancers.
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions or would like to join us as a participant
Email
smallstepsforsmallcell@gmail.com
Instagram