14 marathons down, countless miles to go before we see an end to cancer.

For the past 14 years, I have been running to support cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute as a member of the DFMC (Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge) team. Thirteen years in a row, I ran the Boston Marathon. Last year, I ran the New York City Marathon after the birth of my daughter, Mackenzie. In 2012, I will once again run Boston for DFMC!

During my first year, I was partnered with Brittany Lambert, a young girl from Duxbury, as part of a special patient/partner program between DFMC and the Jimmy Fund. Brittany passed away the following fall from myelodsyplasia, but I've continued to run in memory of her each year and have become close friends with her family. Her older sister, Brianne, was one of my bridesmaids at my wedding in 2003. Their parents relocated to Florida, but we continue to stay in touch, and I look forward to meeting up with Brianne from time to time.

At the 2003 Boston Marathon, I partnered up with Amber DaRosa, the daughter of two of my husband's best friends, who was diagnosed with leukemia at age four. Amber successfully completed a two-year treatment and continues to do well! The DaRosas relocated to NH, but still come down for the marathon every year.

In 2005, I began running in memory of Mark Schlowsky-Fischer, the husband of a good friend from college. Mark passed away in October 2004 after an 11-month battle with Burkett's lymphoma. His wife, Karen, has remarried, and she and her husband recently welcomed their first child. They continue to honor Mark's legacy through a support organization, Young Cancer Spouses.

I also run in honor of my mother-in-law, Mary Hagerty, who completed treatment for breast cancer. What is amazing is that this is her second battle with breast cancer - the first time was in her late 20s in an era when treatment was not nearly as comprehensive as it is today.

These are just a few of my reasons for continuing to run, more than a decade later. Thank you for your continued support!

Why do I run?
An archive of current and past fundraising letters:

• This year's letter
• 2011
• 2010
• 2009
• 2008
• 2007
• 2006
• 2005
• 2004
• 2003
• 2002
• 2001
• 2000
• 1999
• 1998

Can't believe I've run all those marathons?
A fun archive of running photos

Two BU students from the College of Communication interviewed me before the 2010 marathon, along with several other Somerville residents, about our marathon runs for local charities. Check out the video!

• Learn more about the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research on the official DFMC site.
• Check out the Boston Marathon site to learn more about this historic run.

2012 Fundraising Progress
As of 4/15/2012


0%

100%

Current level: 53.4% ($4,272.40)
Goal: $8,000

Please make your gift by September 30th, 2012, the end of Dana-Farber's fiscal year.

Click here to make your gift now online
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Year	Amount Raised
1998	$2,725 donated
1999	$10,165 donated, matched by $1,500 Total of $11,665
2000	$7,321 donated, matched by $1,500 Total of $8,821
2001	$4,927 donated, matched by $1,500 Total of $6,427
2002	$5,950.90 donated, matched by $1,500 Total of $7,450.09
2003	$6,972.70 donated, matched by $1,500 Total of $8,472.70
2004	$6,595.10 donated, matched by $1,500 Total of $8,095.10
2005	$6,448.10 donated, matched by $1,500 Total of $7,948.10
2006	$6,551.62 donated
2007	$6,722.87 donated
2008	$8,621 donated
2009	$6,288 donated
2010	$7,197 donated
	$99,710.08 raised in 13 years
2011	$8,000 goal