As you may know, this past May I lost my grandfather, Jon Blake, to complications due to a rare cancer. He battled Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia for nearly two decades, one of the longest known survivors in the world. He was able to fight for so long thanks to the cutting edge research and care he received at Dana Farber's Bing Center for Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia.
My grandfather was an avid runner and placed 18th in the Boston marathon and qualified to participate in the Olympic Marathon trials. In his later years, even while battling cancer, he would still run to work at his law firm nearly every day, no matter the weather and often ran to his chemo appointments.
I followed in my grandfather's footsteps to become a collegiate runner where, unfortunately, I was met with a 5 year struggle with illness and injuries. On November 10th, 2024 I made my official (and long-awaited) running come-back when I ran the Boston Half for Dana Farber in my grandfather's honor. It was the greatest honor of my life. Now I want to aim higher and do more in his memory.
So, this April, I, along with 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.
Every mile and each donation, no matter the size, 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. As a community, we have the power to create a more hopeful, cancer-free future, in Boston and around the world. I ask you to join me in my unwavering determination to this vital time in cancer care and research.
Thank you for your support! Together, we're headed toward the ultimate finish line: a world without cancer.
