I am participating in the 2020 Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk taking steps toward the ultimate finish line: a world without cancer! This year however the walk will be a virtual walk because of the Corona-virus.
Most of you have known me for years and know my passion for supporting the Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber in their mission to find a cure for cancer and providing the best patient care possible. My first exposure to cancer came in 1951 when I lost my father when I was 7. Since that time I have lost many family members and friends to cancer and in 2017 I myself was treated for melanoma. Having been a police officer for almost 40 years there hasn't been much I haven't seen. I've had guns and knives pulled on me and been in some very scary situations. But I can truthfully say nothing put the fear of God into me more than when I got the call from my Dermatologist telling me the biopsy she took was in fact melanoma cancer. I was fortunate that it was diagnosed early and hopefully it has all been removed. However I still need to go every 6 months for a check up. I was the lucky one. Every year I walk for people I know and their family members who are battling cancer. Some have been successful and beat cancer. Others have not been so fortunate and lost their battle. I walked last year for a friend of mine Herb King who lost his battle 5 weeks after my walk. Since his passing I have been made aware of 3 other friends or family members who have been diagnosed. This year I walk for them and all those I know who are fighting for their lives. My wife Penny and daughter Kimberly were diagnosed about 3 years ago as having BHD (Birt-Hogg-Dube') an extremely rare cancer gene. So there are many selfish reasons for my participation each year in support of the Jimmy fund. I walk with Team Police Chiefs, which represents police chiefs across the Commonwealth. Since 1947 the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association have had the Jimmy Fund as their only charity.
This year with the walk being virtual the numbers of participants and money raised is expected to be low. We all know that cancer does not take a break because of the Corona-virus. More than ever the Jimmy fund needs our support as do those fighting cancer. Each of us can relate to cancer and know someone either with cancer or who has lost their battle. When you make a gift to my walk, you’re directly supporting Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s unique 50-50 balance between cutting-edge science and highly compassionate cancer care. Your support allows Dana-Farber leaders to enhance programs and initiatives that serve pediatric and adult patients and their families.
If you would be kind enough to donate to my walk you can log into “Jimmy Fund” and go to “Team Police Chiefs” and click on Michael Healy or if you would rather you can go directly to my personal web page located at http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/MichaelHealy.
If you feel more comfortable contributing by check please make it payable to Jimmy Fund and send it to me at PO Box 51, West Dennis, MA 02670. Thank you in advance for your support of the Jimmy Fund and remember this year more than ever they need your support.
Thank you for supporting my participation in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. Together, we can conquer cancer!
