Local resident Leighanne Strangie was named “First-Time Team Captain of the Year†for her efforts in the 2019 Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai. Leighanne was among a select group of awardees recognized at the Extra Mile Brunch on Sunday, March 1st for her fundraising and commitment in the 31st Jimmy Fund Walk event this past September.
Money raised from the Jimmy Fund Walk supports adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at the nation’s premier cancer center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Scheduled for Sunday, October 4, the Jimmy Fund Walk is the only organized walk permitted on the historic Boston Marathon course. Participants choose among four distance options: 5K Walk (3.1 miles from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute), 10K Walk (6.2 miles from Newton), Half Marathon Walk (13.1 miles from Wellesley), or Marathon Walk (26.2 miles from Hopkinton). All routes finish at the Copley Square Finish Line. This year’s goal is to recruit 8,500 participants and raise $9 million for Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund.
Participants who are not going to be in the area on October 4th can opt to register as Virtual Walkers. Whether participating for themselves, loved ones, neighbors, or co-workers, each walker shares a common purpose: to support breakthroughs that will benefit cancer patients around the world.
Leighanne formed her team, Team Ritchie, in memory of her son, Ritchie Strangie, who passed away on June 7th, 2018, at 28 years old. Ritchie had developed a rare pediatric cancer, Wilm’s Tumor, at 26 and fought hard to beat it. Ritchie was an avid Boston sports fan who worked for the Boston Herald. Throughout his cancer treatment, Ritchie went to Spring Training and several Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins games with the Jimmy Fund. Leighanne and her husband formed Team Ritchie to honor their son’s memory.
“After our son Ritchie lost his battle with cancer, we actually missed coming to the Jimmy Fund Clinic and seeing all of the incredible people we met along the way,†Leighanne writes. The team became a way for Leighanne and her family to work through their loss together and receive support from the community.
“Being recognized at the Extra Mile Brunch makes me feel part of a huge community of compassionate people doing our best to better the lives of people with cancer and to help make strides in finding new treatments and cures,†Leighanne writes. “I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the people who helped us in our time of need.â€
“Leighanne’s enthusiasm, passion and energy exemplify the unique spirit of this event,†said Zack Blackburn, Director, Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. “Leighanne is a prime example of someone who has dedicated their time to conquering cancer and supporting high-level research at Dana-Farber.â€
To register for the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, or to support a walker, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call (866) 531-9255. Enter the promo code NEWS for $5 off registration.
The Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai aims to raise $9 million in 2020. The money supports all forms of patient care and cancer research at the nation’s premier cancer center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The Jimmy Fund Walk has raised more than $145 million in its 32-year history. The Boston Athletic Association has supported the Walk since 1989, and Hyundai has been the presenting sponsor since 2002.
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.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is one of the world’s leading centers of cancer research and treatment. It is ranked in the top 5 of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Hospitals for both adult and pediatric cancer care. Dana-Farber’s mission is to reduce the burden of cancer through scientific inquiry, clinical care, education, community engagement, and advocacy. We provide the latest in cancer care for adults through Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center and for children through Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. 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.