We’re proud to shine a spotlight on Jessica Kirst, who will be running the 2025 Berlin Marathon in support of the IBC Network Foundation. Her run brings awareness to Inflammatory Breast Cancer and helps fund the research needed to fight this aggressive disease.

If you’re interested in running a marathon to raise funds for IBC research, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can make every mile matter.

I was introduced to Inflammatory Breast Cancer through my long-time friend Stephanie Richards, an incredible woman and true IBC unicorn. Stephanie is currently NED (No Evidence of Disease) and an inspiration for others facing this aggressive and often misunderstood cancer. Her strength, positivity, and relentless fight inspired me to do more—and that’s why I’m here.

I’ve been chasing a personal goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon, and while I missed the cut by just 42 seconds in 2024 and 8 seconds in 2025, I’ve officially earned a qualifying time for 2026. Along the way, I’ve also checked off major milestones—qualifying for and running Chicago in 2024, and also landing a coveted lottery spot for New York City 2024. Now I’m running Berlin not just to keep my 6/7-Star World Marathon Major journey alive—but to give purpose to every mile.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer is one of the deadliest forms of breast cancer, yet it receives very little research funding and remains unfamiliar to far too many—even in the medical community. The IBC Network Foundation is changing that by funding targeted research and raising critical awareness. I’m proud to help support this mission.

Please consider donating to help me reach my fundraising goal and fuel research that saves lives. Every step I take in Berlin is for Stephanie—and for every woman still waiting on answers.

Thank you for supporting the run, the mission, and the future.

—Jessica