Boston Marathon 2015- Here We Come!

 

It’s Official….I will be running the Boston Marathon as a member of the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge Team again in April 2015. It is amazing how one simple decision can cause a ripple effect and forever change us. For me, it was the summer of 2011 when my journey with Dana Farber and the Boston Marathon began. I was looking for a way to honor the passing of my dear friend Matt’s nephew. As a friend, I felt completely helpless as I watched Matt struggle as he and his family cared for Josh with such love knowing that there was nothing they could do to stop this horrible disease. It was a collective courage that was required of a pain so great that no family should have to find the strength to face. I had been running with my friend Sandy who suggested I apply to run with Dana Farber. For those of you that know Sandy, she has a way of inspiring us to do more as she does so much! She had run with Dana Farber after losing her son, who many of you know and have been inspired by-Matty.

This is where my story with the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge begins. It begins with friendship and moving from feeling powerless to working relentlessly to do what I can so that someday families will not have to find the strength and courage to face the unimaginable. Like Sandy, I am not convinced that I am a “real runner” or that I even like to run long distances. However, in three short years, by making the decision to run with Dana Farber, I have raised approximately $47,000 and last year alone, our collective team total exceeded 8 million dollars. There is a lot to like about those numbers. The primary goal of the researchers at Dana Farber and for those of us who support their efforts by lacing up our sneakers and raising funds is working towards a world without cancer. Each year when I run, I add the names of those impacted by cancer to my shirt. Each year there are more names added and there are loved ones to whom we have said good bye to soon. So I will continue to run and I will continue to ask for your support for such important work as fighting cancer.

Moving from Darkness to Light

The winter is not the greatest time to train for a marathon, especially in New England. However, in some ways this adds to the larger metaphor of what we are doing.  Many of us begin our training shortly after Thanksgiving. As we enter the holiday season, it is not just a time to be thankful; it is also a time to “give thanks.” For me, mapping out and organizing my life to prepare to run a marathon is one of the ways that I “give thanks.” It is a way that I can do my part to making the world a better place, one step at a time. It is also one of the darkest times of the year. It is amazing to me how this also adds to the larger metaphor. Cancer is a huge darkness in many lives. There is no denying that. It is a horrible disease and many of us know this all too well. However, what I have learned from so many on my journey with the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge Team is that even in our darkest days we can choose to seek and move towards light and this is just what we do. So as we gear up for another training season and make our ways from the dark days of December to April 20, 2015, I hope you will once again join me on this journey and support me in whatever ways you can! Each and every donation brings us closer to reaching the ultimate goal-A world without cancer. Here is the link to my fundraising page http://www.runDFMC.org/2015/kerryd.

Also, for anyone reading this…my good friend Sandy will be hosting a Blood Drive for Children’s Hospital tomorrow in Dracut. If you are in the area please stop by…these are the many ways we can make a difference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With Gratitude,

Kerry D