As the bumper sticker says, “Cancer Sucks”. John's personal edit to the bumper sticker: “Cancer Four Times Really Sucks" and John was an exceptional fighter.
John & his family have been blessed to say that John beat it down three times and battled again mightily a fourth. The battle began ten years ago, in 2014.
Helping others had always been part of John's formula of what sustained him in his battle - being alongside others in their battle, cheering them on, sharing experiences and John sharing what he learned during his battles.
The other part of John's beat down formula of what sustained him: run marathons. John ran 49 marathons in 49 states and Massachusetts is the last state waiting for the check mark. Training helped his mind along with his body. Being with the other runners, learning about them and their stories and encouraging anyone who was struggling during the marathon was even more fulfilling than making a PR.
For any marathon runner, running Boston is a dream come true. For John, running Boston and fighting cancer for many literally every step of the way – beyond words. John was accepted to run with the Dana Farber Team this past October and his spirit was lifted by the chance and the training program was begun in his mind. John's spirit will cross that finish line at Boylston St. in just a few short weeks, on April 15th. John most certainly started the race in a larger way ten years ago and we invite you to work on the larger RACE AGAINST CANCER too. 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 joining this life saving race.
