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Howard's Welcome
The MassGeneral Marathon Team, Fighting Kids Cancer … One Step at
a Time, began in 1998 when 10 runners (four of whom are still running
with us) raised $45,000 to support the pediatric cancer program at
the Massachusetts General Hospital for Children. I started our team
to honor our brave young patients who face their own marathons each
and every day as they struggle to live long and healthy lives. We
are now in our 10th year and our marathon team has grown to over 100
runners who have cumulatively raised more than $4 million during the
past ten years. The Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division at MGHfC
directs 100 percent of the funds raised, which go toward many cancer
research programs and efforts at enhancing the quality of life for
our patients.
As an incredibly diverse group, our team includes first-time marathoners to experienced
runners, parents of our patients, former patients, MGH employees, college students and
friends. Each runner is whole-heartedly committed to our cause and the majority of
runners participate in our annual Patient Partner Program. Initiated at our inaugural run,
this is a unique opportunity for some runners to be paired with MGHfC patients. They
often have several opportunities to meet before the marathon, but the highlight is the
medal ceremony at our pasta dinner. The night before the race, runners present their
patient partners with their own marathon medals. The Patient Partner Program is a very
powerful and motivating experience for our runners on race day, when patients, partners,
their families and the MGH staff gather to cheer on our team. There's nothing like the
mile 20 high to make the final 6.2 miles fly by.
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