Athina Apazidis, Sherrie Barlas, and Walk Hero Chloe Marzilli will “Walk Your Way” for the iconic fundraising walk for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to support all forms of cancer
Wayland, Mass.—28 residents from Wayland will choose their own route on October 3 for the annual Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk: Your Way presented by Hyundai. Participants are encouraged to “Walk Your Way” from wherever they are most comfortable—whether that be from their neighborhood, local park, favorite trail, or even a treadmill in their own home.
Sara Berenson, Katie Brown, Lindsey Carapezza, Karen Dalton-Thomas, Jaclyn Donovan, Rimante Du Randt, Caitlin Dunne, Whitney Fair, Kate Finlayson, Elizabeth Garcia, and eighteen other Wayland residents along with thousands of other walkers, will participate in virtual programming during the Walk that aims to recreate the most inspiring elements of Walk day. While the event will not physically bring walkers together along the famed Boston Marathon® course, it will unite the community to raise funds to support all forms of adult and pediatric care and cancer research at the nation’s premier cancer center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The event has raised more than $150 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in its 30+ year history.
Walk Heroes are matched with Jimmy Fund Walk teams to give participants an opportunity to connect with patients. Wayland resident Chloe Marzilli, age seven, is a Walk Hero for the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk and will help inspire walkers as they partake in this year’s virtual event. Images and stories of Walk Heroes will be accessible to inspire walkers. Chloe was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma. She walks on Chloe’s Sunshine Squad and is matched with Chloe’s Sunshine Squad as well.
“My name is Chloe and I love to do art and my most favorite thing is being with my friends,” Chloe says. “I love all the Jimmy Fund nurses because they are always super nice to me when I come in.”
“While we can’t see everyone in person this year, we are excited for the virtual program to give participants the opportunity to support breakthroughs in cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in their own way,” said Zack Blackburn, director of the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. “Together, from a safe distance, we will take critical strides in the journey to defy cancer.”
This year’s event will have a lower fundraising requirement, $100 for adults and $25 for those under 18, with a $5 registration fee. All registered walkers will receive a bib and medal and the first 5,000 to register will receive a commemorative Jimmy Fund Walk T-shirt.
Anyone interested in additional information can reference the Jimmy Fund Walk: Your Way frequently asked questions or can send an email to JimmyFundWalk@DFCI.Harvard.edu
To register to walk (#JimmyFundWalk) or to support a walker visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call (866) 531-9255. All Jimmy Fund Walk participants are encouraged to utilize the Charity Miles App to help with training and fundraising, engage with Dana-Farber patient stories and podcasts, and much more! Download the app here.
About the Jimmy Fund
The Jimmy Fund, established in Boston in 1948, is comprised of community-based fundraising events and other programs that, solely and directly, benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s lifesaving mission to provide compassionate patient care and groundbreaking cancer research for children and adults. The Jimmy Fund is an official charity of the Boston Red Sox, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Pan-Mass Challenge, and the Variety Children’s Charity of New England. Since 1948, the generosity of millions of people has helped the Jimmy Fund save countless lives and reduce the burden of cancer for patients and families worldwide. Follow the Jimmy Fund on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @TheJimmyFund.
About Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is one of the world’s leading centers of cancer research and treatment. Dana-Farber’s mission is to reduce the burden of cancer through scientific inquiry, clinical care, education, community engagement, and advocacy. Dana-Farber is a federally designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School.
We provide the latest treatments in cancer for adults through Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center and for children through Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. Dana-Farber is the only hospital nationwide with a top 10 U.S. News & World Report Best Cancer Hospital ranking in both adult and pediatric care.
As a global leader in oncology, Dana-Farber is dedicated to a unique and equal balance between cancer research and care, translating the results of discovery into new treatments for patients locally and around the world, offering more than 1,100 clinical trials.
