The Floating Hospital sends seven runners to the 2026 NYC Marathon

The Floating Hospital will field seven runners in the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on Nov. 1 as an official charity partner for the third straight year. The Queens-based nonprofit is using the race to raise money and visibility for free care, transportation and family support services for New Yorkers in need.

Why it matters: - The Floating Hospital is using one of New York’s biggest races to raise money for healthcare and essential services for homeless and low-income families. - The marathon gives the 160-year-old nonprofit a high-visibility platform for a mission that extends far beyond medical visits. - Since 2023, the TCS New York City Marathon has raised more than $66 million for official charity partners.

What happened: - The Floating Hospital will return as an official charity partner for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. - Seven runners will represent the organization as its “Waverunners” team. - The nonprofit is participating as an official charity partner for the third consecutive year. - The organization was founded in 1866 and is based in Queens.

The details: - Two runners from last year are back: Wakim Andre and Ashley Sandberg. - Wakim Andre is a biopharma and biotech marketing executive in New Jersey and is married to The Floating Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shani Andre. - Ashley Sandberg serves on The Floating Hospital foundation board and is executive vice president of Triple 7 Public Relations in New York City. - Five first-time runners are joining the team: Santiago Caceres, Aidan Rogers, Megan Sartor, Joanna Smykowski and Jared Staph. - Santiago Caceres is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, public servant, community advocate, entrepreneur and endurance athlete who works as a fiscal analyst for the Westchester County Board of Legislators. - Aidan Rogers is 24, lives in New York City and works at S&P Global after graduating from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. - Megan Sartor is an attorney whose interest in public service is shaped by her family background and work on infrastructure projects. - Joanna Smykowski is a disability lawyer who once received healthcare at The Floating Hospital and now works for a nonprofit focused on long Covid cases. - Jared Staph is 26, lives in Dallas and is running in honor of his father. - One runner, Wakim Andre, said helping people live healthier lives is something close to his heart. - Sean T. Granahan, president and general counsel of The Floating Hospital, said the “Waverunners” help carry the organization’s message forward and raise awareness of its care and support. - Funds raised by the runners will support the nonprofit’s “more than healthcare” programs and services. - Those programs include free shuttle transportation from about 400 shelters and domestic violence safe houses citywide. - The organization also provides a life-skills program that helps families with school enrollment, housing applications, employment applications and childcare enrollment. - Other services include food, infant and hygiene products, seasonal clothing, summer leadership and skills camps for homeless youth, free HIV screenings and free women’s health screenings. - The Floating Hospital operates clinics in Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx. - Its main clinic is in Long Island City, Queens. - Services there include primary medical care, dental care, behavioral healthcare and optometry, plus podiatry and infectious disease specialists. - The nonprofit’s largest constituency is homeless families living in shelters, hotels, motels, safehouses or doubled up with family and friends. - In 2025, The Floating Hospital provided care to 21,296 patients across 62,009 visits.

Between the lines: - The marathon partnership lets The Floating Hospital connect athletic fundraising with a broader public message about housing instability, family support and access to care. - The team composition suggests the nonprofit is leaning on both returning advocates and first-time volunteers with personal ties to its mission. - The mix of healthcare, transportation and basic-needs services shows the organization is operating as a social support system as much as a clinic.

What’s next: - The seven runners will compete on Nov. 1 and raise money ahead of and during the race. - The Floating Hospital will channel proceeds into its clinics and support programs for families in need. - The organization is likely to use the marathon to widen awareness of its services and attract future donors and volunteers.

The bottom line: - For The Floating Hospital, the New York City Marathon is both a fundraiser and a megaphone for a long-running safety-net mission in New York City.