On September 13, PCOM first-year Mental Health Counseling student Benni Litman (MS '27) took on PHL24 – a 24-hour stair climb at the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Rocky steps – to benefit Legacy of Hope, which provides emergency support to local cancer patients and their families when other resources are exhausted.
“Everyone knows someone affected by a cancer diagnosis, and it's always devastating—even when you can afford treatment,” Litman said. “In our community, many people are choosing between treatment, medications, feeding their families or paying bills. Legacy of Hope steps in at that impossible moment. They make an incredible difference.”
Litman first joined PHL24 at the invitation of a close friend, Trevor Budny, who discovered Legacy of Hope during his own cancer journey. After Budny went into remission in 2020, he asked friends to climb with him, and the tradition stuck.
“Trevor passed away in 2022,” Litman said. “We’ve been honoring him by taking on the stairs for six years now. Every round is for him – and for families we'll never meet but can still help.”
Often described as the “emergency medicine” of patient support, Legacy of Hope partners with major cancer centers and community groups across Philadelphia to provide rapid assistance when all other resources have been exhausted, covering essentials like food, transportation and urgent bills so patients can focus on care.
PHL24 was simple in form – climb, descend, repeat – but demanding in practice. Between classes, Litman trained in short bursts, building a steady pace and stamina. “Endurance is about small, sustainable choices—and so is healing,” Litman said. “If our steps can make life even a little easier for one family, it's worth every flight.”
For highlights from Litman's 24-hour stair climb – and to learn more about PHL24 – visit her Instagram page.
Established in 1899, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
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Brandon Lausch
Executive Director, Strategic Communications
Office of Marketing and Communications
Email: brandonla@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6312
