I am going to give this another try!!! Yikes!!!😬 The marathon last year was brutal. After battling injuries, I was so glad I was able to just cross the finish line. Soooo you might be wondering why I would put myself through this again.🤪 Here is my why:
When Joe was sick, we started to talk about fundraising for Dana Farber. Even though he knew he would not be there to support my efforts, he was happy I would be working to raise funds so others would not lose family members to this horrible disease. After he passed, I decided that my goal would be to raise $100,000 for cancer research in his memory. With your very very generous support, I have raised over $86,000 so far. ($74,000 for Dana Farber and $12,500 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society also in memory of Joe’s mom). I would really like to pass $100,000 for Dana Farber in Joe's memory so that is why I am running again and why my goal is $26,200 (also there are 26.2 miles in the marathon).😊
In the last few years, Lauren, Jon, Tracey and I have sorted out our new lives without Joe. He was such an extraordinary guy and there were so many times I felt the loss of his calm guidance and light in my life. If I sat still, I found that I could still feel his comforting presence and I know he is cheering me on in this effort.
Life has moved on and the days, weeks and months have softened the intensity of the loss of Joe’s presence, but it never diminished the lessons we learned from the legacy of the life he lived of graciousness and giving.💗
Last year, I was so amazed, proud and humbled that I raised over $24,000. (The team raised over $7.6M - Wow!) Raising that money was so much more important and a bigger accomplishment to me than finishing the marathon. I am very grateful for your past support and your kind words and encouragement of my efforts.
So I am running the Boston Marathon again (ughhh Heartbreak Hill!!!) and my goal is to raise $26,200 to reach my goal of raising $100,000 for Dana Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Joe. I know that Joe is still with me and I hope to make him proud as he watches over me and the kids. I also hope you will support me as we work toward a future without cancer for our kids, grandkids and all our loved ones.
If you prefer to donate by check, please make it out to Dana Farber Marathon Challenge (DFMC) and mail it to me at my home address.
Please match your gift if that option is available to you!
With lots of love and thanks,
Kathy, Lauren, Jon, Tracey and Jay
