I've dreamt of being here for so long - so here we go!
I am running the 129th Boston Marathon to raise money for The Dana-Farber for so many reasons. First, and most important, I am running to celebrate the institution which helped care for my mom through her cancer treatment. Luckily, her cancer was treatable and she passed the five year cancer-free mark earlier this year and is turning 75 in May! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate her.
Second, I am running for the people who aren’t as lucky as my mom. There is still so much innovation needed in the screening and treatment of cancer. I love working in biotech because I feel like my work, in some small way, can really make a difference to the lives of so many parents, children, friends, and other loved ones. This is no different.
To that end, every dollar raised through this goes to the Claudia Adams Barr Program, which selects the brightest, most creative scientists and funds their most innovative ideas to propel basic research discoveries that transform cancer treatment. Running while supporting basic cancer research is such a good fit for me that I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Lastly, I’d be remiss to not mention how much running a marathon would mean to me personally. It’s often seemed like a superhuman thing to attempt that I never imagined a mere mortal like me could try and achieve the impossible.
Thanks so much for your support!