Two Winthrop residents will choose their own route on October 3 and raise money for cancer research during the socially distanced Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk.
Winthrop’s Leighanne Strangie and James Nelson, 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.
Strangie, who lost her son Ritchie to cancer in 2018, is part of Team Ritchie, which has raised $3,030 so far towards their goal of $20,000 for Dana-Farber.
“This year I will be walking to Wipe out Wilms Tumor,†she said. “This will be my third year walking in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. After losing my son, Ritchie, to Wilms tumor in 2018 at the age of 28 I decided to walk in his honor. I can’t think of a better way to honor those we have lost and help those who are currently fighting–especially the 500 to 600 new cases of Wilms tumor that are diagnosed every year in the United States. Dana Farber and the Jimmy Fund have the most talented, compassionate people and some of the brightest minds in the world all working together to conquer cancer. I feel honored to be a part of this community and doing my part to conquer cancer.â€
Donations to Team Ritchie can be made at https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/TR/JimmyFundWalk/JimmyFundWalk?team_id=8919&pg=team&fr_id=1660/
Nelson is not part of a team but has raised $120, $20 over his goal for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Donations to Nelson can be made at https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/TR?fr_id=1660&pg=personal&px=1004212.
Both Nelson and Strangie will take part in the Jimmy Fund’s “Walk Your Way†event from wherever they feel most comfortable. They can walk in the neighborhood, on their favorite trail, or from a treadmill in their own home.
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. The event has raised more than $150 million for Dana-Farber in its 30-plus year history.
“While we can’t see everyone in person this year, we are excited for the virtual programming which will give participants the opportunity to support breakthroughs in cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,†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.â€
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 Jimmy Fund Walk T-shirt.
Established in Boston in 1948 the Jimmy Fund is made up of community-based fundraising events and other programs that solely and directly benefit Dana-Farber’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.