2026 Inlet Walk for Brain Cancer Research

Saturday September 5, 2026; 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

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. Glioblastoma is an aggressive and fast-growing type of brain tumor that remains extremely challenging to treat despite advances in surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Most patients survive less than a year after diagnosis. After the initial diagnosis, Dennis lived for 2 months; Fred lived for 6 months; and Jim lived for 10 months. Each of them had previously led very active, healthy lives.

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). Dr. Storm—Chief of Neurosurgery at CHOP, co-director of D3b, serves as a trusted guide and source of comfort to our families as we continue our battle against glioblastoma and other life changing brain tumors in honor of Dennis, Fred, and Jim. The Inlet Walk allows our families to continue our battle against brain cancer while also championing each of our dads’ fighting spirits.

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. Dragon Master was founded by the family of David Pearson who was just 16 when he was diagnosed with brain cancer. 

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 

In April, the families visited D3b to learn more about their pioneering research related to brain tumor research. The team gave a full tour and explained how the funds raised last year are utilized to help change how research works. Our support helps expedite research and encourages collaboration globally. Each patient’s data becomes part of a shared resource that researchers around the world can access and learn from at the same time. D3b is built around the idea that every patent’s experience should help drive research and progress in the hopes of helping others- especially future families who will sadly encounter glioblastoma in their own lifetime.