On Sunday, October 2nd, I will participate in my 19th Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai. As in pre-Covid years, we are returning to the legendary Boston Marathon Course, although a virtual walk is still available. I have registered to complete a half marathon on that course from Wellesley to Copley Square. This decision is one which I am so grateful to be able to make. As some of you know, I fell recently while doing tree pruning. I was cutting my last limb, which snapped and knocked me off the ladder. Falling some 20+ feet, I fractured 8 ribs, experienced multiple hairline fractures to the sternum and had a collapsed right lung. My doctors told me if I had not already been training for the Jimmy Fund Walk I would have had to deal with a much longer and more difficult recovery if not worse! Fortunately, the Jimmy Fund had gotten me in decent shape. Guess the Jimmy Fund saves lives in more ways than I had imagined!!
Additionally, this year I am walking in memory of James R. Wilson. Jim was my colleague in the South Glens Falls Central School system. He was a loved elementary teacher and an inspirational union president for many years. Like this struggle to beat cancer, Jim understood that bettering working conditions and improving education would take slow and steady effort! So many teachers and students have a better educational experience in South Glens Falls today because of him!
Remember when you make a gift to my Walk, you’re directly supporting Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s unique 50-50 balance between cutting-edge research and compassionate patient care. Your support allows Dana-Farber leaders to enhance programs and initiatives that serve pediatric and adult patients and their families. And you are encouraging old folks like me to train and stay in shape for the Walk, which has numerous "hidden benefits".
Thank you for supporting my Jimmy Fund Walk fundraising efforts. Together, we can defy cancer!