Susan Strong's Fundraising Page

The fight against cancer goes on!

Cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide. In 2018, there were 18.1 million new cases and 9.5 million cancer-related deaths worldwide. By 2040, the number of new cancer cases per year is expected to rise to 29.5 million and the number of cancer-related deaths to 16.4 million.

Statistics show that over 50% of families in the U.S. will be touched by cancer in some way. Whether it be an immediate family member, a close friend or someone in their community; cancer is in all of our lives. 

Overcoming these daunting statistics can be challenging but with the determination of countless medical and research personnel, tremendous advancements have been made in the areas of treatment and cures for many types of cancers.

Our families have personally been touched by cancer in more ways than one. Alanna lost her grandfather, Nicola (Nono) at the age of 72, her cousin Kyle at the age of 17, her relative Debbie at the age of 66, and most recently her Uncle Anthony at the age of 60. Anthony lost his courageous battle to throat cancer just this past September after being in remission for 18 years. James lost his grandfather Edward (Gramps) at the age of 86, his grandfather Harry (Buelo) at the age of 86 and his relative Marsha at the age of 77. Both Alanna & James's fathers were affected by prostate cancer in recent years and thanks to the medical advancements made in this area, they are both cancer free today. 

Our main reason for running the 2024 Boston marathon is for Alanna's Mom, Susan. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer in March of 2023. Naturally this was devastating news for Susan and her entire family. Upon hearing this news Alanna, without hesitation decided to move home to care for her Mom. During the next 6 months Alanna was by her moms side while she went through her chemo treatments, scans and countless blood tests.Through the amazing efforts of her medical team at Dana Farber and Brigham and Women's hospital we watched as Susan got stronger and more positive everyday. This was a direct result of the extraordinary care she received from the medical professionals at Dana Farber cancer institute.We can't thank Dana Farber enough for giving her the best care possible both medically and psychologically to help her cope with her illness. 

Shortly after Susan’s diagnosis Alanna said “If my Mom can endure the worst time in her life, suffering through her chemo treatments every 21 days, blood tests every other week and many scans along the way then we can run the Boston Marathon to support her and everyone else who has to go through this.” 

In 2024, hundreds of Dana-Farber runners will take to the streets to participate in the 128th 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.

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 your support! We respectfully ask for your donation to help the researchers, nurses, doctors and the entire medical community to help find a cure for this terrible disease. 

Together, we're headed toward the ultimate finish line: a world without cancer.