Novocure has been a longtime partner in the National Brain Tumor Society’s mission to invest in, mobilize, and unite the brain tumor community to discover a cure, deliver effective treatments, and advocate for patients with brain tumors and their caregivers. As part of their continued efforts to extend survival for patients with some of the most aggressive forms of cancer, Novocure deepened their commitment by encouraging employees to put meaning behind their miles through NBTS’s official endurance program, Gray Nation Endurance® (GNE).
“By participating in Gray Nation Endurance, Novocure moved beyond traditional support of NBTS programs and events and really empowered their employees to take an active role in advancing the NBTS mission,” said Jessica DiGiovanni, Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Partnerships and Corporate Social Responsibility. “This hands-on involvement strengthens the partnership between NBTS and Novocure in a really authentic way.”
Gray Nation Endurance Empowers Employees
Gray Nation Endurance offers a platform for companies to encourage their employees across the country to either apply to join an NBTS charity team or select their own race or endurance activity to fuel the breakthroughs ahead.
Novocure partnered with NBTS to offer its employees the opportunity to apply for a limited number of 2025 AACR Philadelphia Marathon and Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon charity bibs. Two Novocure employees, Dianna G. and Shelby E., took on the challenge.
Dianna at the Philadelphia Half Marathon
Dianna ran the Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon in honor of the more than 1.3 million Americans living with a brain tumor.
“Working at Novocure, alongside many of the wonderful scientists and medical experts, has allowed me to understand the science, challenges, and urgent need for better treatments and research funding,” Dianna said. “While my job is not science-based, this opportunity allowed me to contribute to a greater cause.”
Not only did joining the GNE team empower Dianna to put meaning behind her miles, it also gave her a platform to personally challenge herself to run a half marathon.
“Every mile carried more than physical effort — it carried stories, hope, and a shared determination to keep moving forward, no matter how heavy the journey can feel,” Dianna said. “I was surrounded by so many people united for the same cause, and it was such a humbling reminder of what it means to put purpose behind every step.”
Shelby at the Philadelphia Marathon
Shelby ran the AACR Philadelphia Marathon not only to represent the impactful work being done at Novocure, but also to pay tribute to her grandfather Phillip, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma.
“Cancer has touched my family across multiple generations, leaving behind both heartbreak and resilience,” Shelby said. “Because of this deeply personal connection, I’ve dedicated my career to working at Novocure, a company focused on developing therapies to help prolong the lives of patients with glioblastoma.”
That drive followed her all the way to the starting line, where she joined a community of runners united by a shared mission to defeat brain tumors, once and for all.
“My experience running the Philadelphia Marathon with the Gray Nation Endurance team was incredible,” Shelby recalled. “I met so many people doing what they love for the people they love, and it was so inspiring. It just added an extra reminder that the work we do at Novocure matters to not just the patient but to the families as well. Being able to do something as strenuous as a marathon is a gift, and I feel blessed to have made some sort of impact on NBTS. I will continue to show up for patients in both my work and personal life!”
Why Gray Nation Endurance is a Win for Companies
Dianna and Shelby’s efforts show how employees can reflect their employer’s partnership with NBTS to improve outcomes for patients and families affected by brain tumors.
Gray Nation Endurance is a strong example of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in action for a few reasons.
- Real-World Impact: It allows companies to align their values with meaningful outcomes, such as supporting patients and care partners, funding research, and showing up in ways that truly matter to an organization.
- Purposeful Wellness: GNE uniquely connects wellness programs with purpose. Employees are training, setting personal goals, and supporting their own well-being while also rallying around a cause with a profound human impact. “That combination is incredibly powerful for both individuals and organizations, whether you’re considering the nonprofit being supported or the company engaging in the program,” Jessica said.
- Organizational Culture: Shared experiences build bonds between employees. “There’s something really special about employees going through this experience together,” Jessica said. “It creates energy within the company, and it gives people a shared sense of pride in how their company is showing up for the community.”
NBTS makes it easy for companies to hit the ground running with Gray Nation Endurance, including reserving bibs in select races and providing marketing materials for company-wide communications.
In addition to Gray Nation Endurance, NBTS offers many ways for companies to get involved, including:
- Event sponsorships
- Charitable grants
- Cause marketing
- Corporate volunteer teams
“We work closely with each of our partners to understand what matters most to them and find the right opportunities that align with their goals and the impact they want to make,” Jessica said.
