​Team Billy

This April, hundreds of Dana-Farber runners will take to the streets to participate in the 129th 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 running in memory of my father, Bill, who was treated there with extraordinary care and compassion.

My father was diagnosed with Large B-cell lymphoma, a type of cancer that is typically considered curable. He faced this diagnosis with the same strength and determination that defined his life. However, after the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent complications, he became refractory to treatment. Despite these setbacks, his oncology team at Dana-Farber, led by Dr. Armand, remained steadfast in their commitment to honoring his wishes to keep fighting. They explored every possible option and respected his resilience and hope, all the way through to the final two weeks of his life.

The personalized care my father received extended far beyond the medical treatments. After his passing, his doctor sent a heartfelt handwritten letter, a gesture that deeply touched our family. It is a testament to the profound compassion and dedication that Dana-Farber offers to its patients and their families during their most difficult times.

Running this marathon is a way of expressing gratitude for the care my father received and contributing to the ongoing mission of Dana-Farber. Their dedication to providing patients and their families with both hope and support, even in the most challenging circumstances, means the world to me. I am honored to represent Dana-Farber on this meaningful journey, carrying my father’s memory with every mile. 

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.