In 2024, hundreds of Dana-Farber runners will take to the streets to participate in the 128th Boston Marathon®. The Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team runs and raises funds with thousands of special people in mind. From Hopkinton to Boston, we carry thoughts of those people every step of the way.
I am profoundly grateful for the privilege of being one of these runners. Last December, I received a breast cancer diagnosis, which left me pondering the uncertain path ahead. Fortunately, several weeks after a double mastectomy, I learned that I would not require further surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. I began a 5-year regimen of antiestrogen meds to reduce my chance of recurrence, and 9 months later, I feel pretty much back to normal...physically, at least.
Mentally, the journey has been a rollercoaster. Early on, I connected with fellow cancer survivors who surrounded me with hope, encouragement, and the perfect words to sustain me. Since my own diagnosis, I've witnessed several dear friends receiving their own devastating news, the kind no one ever wishes to hear. I run not only for the survivors, like myself, but also for those newly diagnosed and, heartbreakingly, for those who have left us. My purpose is clear: to raise awareness that cancer knows no boundaries and to raise funds with the hope that one day, this won't be our reality anymore.
One hundred percent of every dollar raised by the DFMC team supports the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. These funds are fueling some of today's most promising basic cancer research.
Thank you for your support! Together, we're headed toward the ultimate finish line: a world without cancer.
