October 15, 2023
Last April, I stood watching the Boston Marathon filled with so many different emotions. I felt an overwhelming pride for the city of Boston that had not yet been my home for even a year. I felt this same pride as I watched these runners that I didn't even know who put in every effort they had into every mile of that day, feeling inspired and motivated by them and their undeniable efforts that had gone into crossing the finish line. This day was monumental in more ways than one and it was truly transformative in this sense
I would say that I was someone who watched these runners go by yet thought to myself “wow I could never do that”, but that was hardly the case. As each ran by, I could only picture doing the same and being surrounded by this supportive community with the feelings of love and gratitude as driving motivations.
In Mimi's last months battling Pancreatic Cancer, she shared a consistent message of feeling struck by so much love and gratitude for her family, her friends, her philanthropic involvements, joys, and hardships faced throughout life. She carried this message with strength and with a fighting spirit that I deeply admire even after her passing in July 2022. And though I was only five at the time, I have confidence that my Gramma who also fought a strong battle with Pancreatic Cancer felt these emotions of love and gratitude to some degree as well before her passing in 2005.
The unfortunate truth is that my lovely grandmothers are not the only two who must face difficult journeys with cancer while working to carry love and gratitude in their hearts. Though the two of them are no longer able to share of this love and gratitude to others directly, I know that I can strive to live this out and further help others as they would have continued to do today.
In this same sentiment, I find it an incredible honor to announce that I will be running alongside the Dana-Farber Marathon Team in the 2024 Boston Marathon. The Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team runs and raises funds with thousands of people in mind. From Hopkinton to Boston, we carry thoughts of those people every step of the way. 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.
I hope to find time to speak personally with many of you who have reached this page in the next coming months about this journey and what it will entail as we continue to support those fighting battles with cancer. In the meantime, on this page you will find the option to donate as a part of my fundraising goals. Please join me alongside this journey with Dana-Farber and my promise to raise $11,000 for their organization over the next several months.
It is through your support that this will be possible and I can do nothing but express my heartfelt thanks to each one of you for being a part of this journey. In so many ways, each of you have shown me the beauty of love and gratitude in action. I have no doubt that this support will continue to motivate me to find this strength in myself as shown by Mimi, Gramma, and so many others in this challenge.
With love and gratitude always,
Katy
