IT IS YEAR 25!!!! I can now officially say I have been running for the DFMC team for half of my life. It has changed my life in ways that I will never be able to convey in words. This year I hope to raise the roof off my fundraising to celebrate this special milestone and will once again need the help of my DFMC supporters to do this. With your help WE have collectively raised closed to 300K for cancer research over the last 25 years TOGETHER. That is an impressive amount and one that has saved lives, helped in cancer research break throughs, given families more time with the people that they love, and so much more but there is still work to be done which is why I am lacing up my sneakers again this year.
I am honored to run in memory of my hero Caitlin Mattes and for her family. Caitlin continues to power me through my runs especially during the fall when fields of sunflowers seem to be everywhere. Her family continues to be an incredibly special part of my life and watching her niece and nephew grow up healthy is one of the best ways to honor her legacy. My hope is they will live in a world without cancer.
Matty Dubuc and his family will once again be by my side every step of the way this year. Matty's mark on myself and my family has inspired us to never stop believing and imagining a world without cancer. Matty is forever my hero.
This year also marks a special year for one of my special running heroes. Nolan Alberty my DF patient partner celebrates his tenth year of being cancer free thanks to a life saving bone marrow transplant at Dana-Farber. Ten years ago Nolan's family was facing an incredibly scary and unimaginable time...today Nolan is in seventh grade. Witnessing life saving, experimental drugs that saved Nolan's life ten years ago forever changed my drive and commitment to this team. Your support and generosity are part of this ten year celebration.
Thank you to all of you who have supported, gave generously, cheered, shared my fundraising with friends, fundraised on your own, and been there with me on this journey for the last 25 years. Together we are making a difference in the fight against cancer. We will one day live in a world that is cancer free and you will have been a part of that. With all my love, Lisa