I'm back for my 4th "one and done" Boston Marathon on April 15, 2024 with a huge goal. This year through the generosity of my donors I hope to exceed a personal fundraising total of $100,000 for Dana-Farber over 4 years. This is only possible with your help.
As many of you know - I did not join the DFMC team in 2021 with the primary goal of raising as much money as possible to end cancer. I ran my first (and what I believed would be - "only") Boston Marathon in October 2021 because - for the first time ever - it was a fall marathon (courtesy of Covid). I applied selfishly simply to "check the box" by running Boston without training during New England winters. I quickly learned, however, that running Boston for Dana-Farber is about so much more than simply running for myself.
So just a few months later, I was back training in New England winters for my second "one and done" Boston in April of 2022 - something I swore I would never do! And its the reason I returned in 2023 and am back again for 2024 - committed and striving to raise even more funds to end cancer.
This year I am particularly inspired by a young 24 year-old warrior who is currently fighting to crush cancer: Griffin Shoemaker. Griffin is an All-American, All-Star and MVP lacrosse player whose drive and determination led the teams of both our local Littleton High School and Saint Anselm College as a Captain. He did so while also achieving academic honors. In 2023, as he was just beginning his professional career and a graduate student at Tufts, Griffin was diagnosed with colon cancer. After surgery to remove 4-5 tumors, Griffin learned his cancer had metastasized to his liver. Despite the most challenging year of his life, Griffin's will and determination define him and he continues to live by the "crush or get crushed" mentality. Griffin is determined to kick back and CRUSH CANCER. So this year, I dedicate my 2024 run to Griffin's fight and crushing cancer with Team GShoe.
I also continue to run in memory of four special angels: Robbie, Maureen, Lisa and Courtney. I run to always remember these angels and so many others who lost their battle.
Robbie was a Union lacrosse early commit with my son Liam. Robbie was just 17 years old when he died suddenly at Christmas 2020 from undiagnosed leukemia. He went to the hospital on Christmas Day with a migraine which turned out to be a brain bleed from AML and passed away just 2 days later. When I dedicated my first Boston run to Robbie in 2021, the Union lacrosse team surprised me by joining in my fundraising efforts to honor Robbie’s memory. The Union team continues to honor Robbie with their fundraising efforts.
Although I never had the privilege of meeting Robbie, I know he is with me on each of my runs. He gave me a sign through a meeting with his parents that was nothing short of a miracle. I had never met Robbie's family (who lives in New Jersey), but when I ran my first Boston for Robbie, I told them that someday, somehow I would give them the biggest hug ever. Just 2 months later - much to my surprise - I was able to deliver on that promise! On the one year anniversary of Robbie's death - while I was on Christmas vacation with my family - Robbie's mother reached out to me. We discovered that both of our families were on the same Florida Key. We met in person the very next day - sky diving! And I delivered that hug. Last year, Robbie's parents surprised me on the marathon course. They drove all the way from NJ and waited for me on Heartbreak Hill to share more hugs and inspiration for reaching the finish line. I have no doubt that Robbie is behind every single one of these miracles. I believe there are no coincidences. THIS is why I run. I Run for Robbie.
Maureen was a devoted mother of 5, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend to so many people in our little town. I ran to honor Maureen ("Moe") in my first October 2021 Boston as she battled cancer. Soon thereafter, on November 19, 2021, Maureen lost her battle. I carried her as an angel with me during my second and third Bostons in April 2022 and 2023. I will do the same again in April of 2024. Maureen advocated the power of "FROG" - Fully Rely On God - when life got hard and often shared that healing thought to guide the rest of us. While she is no longer here on earth with us, Moe's spirit and FROG philosophy live on. I am honored to run in BeastMoed for Moe.
Lisa was the mother of an UNH SAE fraternity brother of my son Rye. Lisa died in 22 short days after diagnosis of esophageal cancer at age 48. In honor of Lisa's memory, the SAE fraternity joined me to raise funds for Dana-Farber. I will continue to Run for Lisa and a cure.
I am also inspired by my young friend Courtney who defined the word commit. Courtney was committed to living each and every day to its fullest. Courtney was 33 years old when she was tragically struck and killed by a hit and run driver on October 16, 2021 - just 5 days after cheering me on in my first Boston marathon. Courtney was training on her bike at the time she was killed - committed to doing what she loved. I met Courtney in the port-a-potty line of the Marine Corp Marathon in 2016 and we ran together. She had just begun her running journey at that time and subsequently committed the next 5 years of her life to completing multiple marathons, triathlons and Ironman competitions. She motivated me and so many other "strangers" (turned to friends) that she met along her racing journey - always reaching out before and after my big runs and donating to my causes. She wanted very much to run Boston. Courtney told me just days before her death that she planned to finally run Boston with me. While she was unable to do so physically, I carried Courtney’s spirit and commitment with me in 2022 and 2023. I will again Commit Like Courtney to raise even more funds to fight cancer this year.
I will also run in memory of my grandparents Bob and Esther, my aunt Shirley, Chris's grandmother Mary Margaret, our dog Boomer and many other warriors who lost their battle with cancer. I will run again for the survivors who are still here because of research and developments against this terrible disease. I run because I also met the most amazing Dana-Farber teammates last year with their own warriors that motivate me: Katie Crowley, Team Matty, Joey, Ava, Grandma Barbara and many others. They helped me raise $37,000 for Dana-Farber with my 2023 run last year for a grand total of over $85,000 in the first 3 years. Together our DFMC team of 513 runners raised $7.85 Million to fight cancer in 2023!
Please help us raise even more this year as part of the 128th Boston Marathon®! Every dollar counts and brings us closer to a cure. On April 15, 2024, hundreds of Dana-Farber runners will take to the streets to raise funds with thousands of special people like Griffin, Robbie, Moe, Lisa, and Courtney in mind. From Hopkinton to Boston, we carry thoughts of those people every step of the way. 100% of every dollar donated goes to Dana-Farber to fight cancer.
Thank you for your support! Together, we're headed toward the ultimate finish line: a world without cancer.
