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Mark Meche's Fundraising Page
Page Creator: Mark Meche
Event: Boston Marathon 2008
Event Starts: Apr 21st 2008
Training buddies: Atticus and Alexander
Fundraising Page Image
Alexander shortly after diagnosis
About our nonprofit:
Massachusetts General Hospital
Our Mission is to provide the highest quality care to individuals and to the community, to advance care through excellence in biomedical research, and to educate future academic and practice leaders of...
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Fundraising target: $26,385
So far we have raised: $20,981.00
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Our personal message:

2008 Mass General Marathon Team

Fighting Kids' Cancer...One Step At A Time

also please check our family website at www.PlatypusandSalamander.com

Our story—the picture at left is my youngest son Alexander who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in June of 2006. The photo shown was taken shortly after the diagnosis while he was inpatient at MassGeneral. I am happy to report that Xander—my favorite nickname for him—has been clear of leukemia for over a year now and even though he will continue with treatments for quite some time, his prognosis is very good. 

About this time last year Alexander was asked to be the patient partner of Robin Kievit, a caregiver affiliated with MassGeneral who was also a volunteer and fundraiser on last years Marathon team. The night before the race, at the traditional spaghetti dinner I made a decision to try and become Alexander’s next partner if I could manage to get a place on this year’s team. I bought some new shoes and hit the road. At this point I am on the team, Xander is my patient partner, I am in training and our whole family is conspiring to get me across that finish line in April. I am now up to about 40 miles a week and my long runs are getting really long. The last one was 23 miles. If I can avoid injury, finishing the marathon shouldn’t be too much of a problem. The question is “how fast?”

It probably comes as no surprise that my motivation for running this marathon is gratitude. While Xander’s treatment protocol comes with no guarantees, I do believe that the folks at MassGeneral saved his life. Diagnosis day was like a kick in the gut—at first it was a struggle to even say the word leukemia—but it doesn’t take long for the parenting instinct to kick in. The transition to patient parent is quick but full of uncertainty and tears. Xander’s primary care physician tried in vain to reassure us but it wasn’t until we arrived at MassGeneral that we began to understand what we were facing. Immediately after arriving at the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology clinic and meeting Dr. Alison Friedman we began to gather some optimism. It is hard to describe in a few sentences but Dr. Friedman projected a sense of concern and care coupled with confidence and professionalism. Most notably she used the word cure easily and often. Over the next few hours we met more caregivers, members of Xander’s team, with a similarly determined and optimistic attitude. There is no mistaking the fact that these folks are in the business of curing cancer.

As I understand it, the funds we raise will go directly to support the Cancer Care for Kids by supporting research into the causes of childhood cancer and to develop new treatments for these cancers.  I would be most grateful if you would consider sending a gift. If you give through this website, the money will go directly to them. You can also mail me a check (made out to Massachusetts General Hostpital) and I will pass it along.

Thank you for visiting my Personal Fundraising Page. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to my fundraising efforts. Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

By the way--let me know if you would like a genuine Meche Marathon Team Glow-in-the-Dark wristband. Stay tuned for updates! we are currently out of stock on the glow-in-the-dark bands but expect to be getting some snappy yellow and black ones in any day now. 

 


Online Sponsors to date: Page 1 of 2     Latest  << | < | > | >>  Earliest  
Display Name Date Amount  Comment
Miss Debbie 6/16/2008 $50.00 Love to Zander & family. Wish you all the best! 
Jim Garland 5/16/2008 $50.00 Dude, what was your time? 
David Wilson 5/14/2008 $50.00 Mark, I wish your family the best!!! 
Bill Clark 5/8/2008 $100.00 Best wishes  
Tara Kellly/Office Environments 5/7/2008 $100.00  
Tyler Spring 5/5/2008 $100.00 Congrats on the run Mark!  
Michael Medvin 5/2/2008 $100.00 Mark, Great Effort. Glad we could help.  
Rhiannon 5/1/2008 $50.00 So happy to see the clydesdale finish! The pictures are wonderful & I am more than impressed. 
Penny Norris 5/1/2008 $25.00  
Ben Waxman 5/1/2008 $100.00 meant to do this before the race. Congrats. 
Kelly from Finz 5/1/2008 $50.00 Mark and family..keep your strength, its working!! 
Rachel and Colin 4/30/2008 $100.00 Great job! Wish I had been there to cheer you on! 
Josh Matteson Tuva Looms, Van Dijk, Eurotex 4/30/2008 $50.00 Congratulations!  
Cathy Julien---Cathy J 4/30/2008 $50.00 Be very proud of yourself and what you have overcome and accomplished 
The Barretts 4/30/2008 $50.00  
Chris Bentley 4/30/2008 $50.00 from Rep Source 
Dave Hayes 4/23/2008 $30.00 Hope all continues to go well for your son 
Tinti, Quinn, Grover & Frey, P.C. 4/22/2008 $250.00  
Ray Jenkins - Paula Molloy & Family 4/22/2008 $129.50 Mark-Great Job Kristin-nothing happens without a great team. 
brenda, chris, nathan & noah silva 4/21/2008 $100.00 good luck Mark!!! 
The Lovely's 4/20/2008 $50.00 All our best to the Meche Family. Have a great run! 
Annie Harris 4/19/2008 $100.00 Have a great run! Remember that getting to the end - even if it takes hours - is GREAT! 
John Jermyn 4/18/2008 $25.00 Good Luck Mark 
Mick and Gayle Fiato 4/18/2008 $100.00 May the wind be at your back! Good luck Mesh. 
Scott Turgeon 4/16/2008 $100.00 Good luck Mark. Hope for good weather. 
Sean O'Neil 4/16/2008 $50.00 All the best! 
Bob Keeley,Diversified Project Managemnt 4/15/2008 $100.00  
Brian Bishop 4/15/2008 $50.00 Best of Luck Mark!  
John Connor 4/15/2008 $250.00 Have fun! Good luck! 
Alex L 4/15/2008 $25.00 For Alexander and so many others 
Bill Steelman 4/15/2008 $25.00 For all you do! 
Christian, Heidi, Britton, Austen &Nella 4/14/2008 $50.00 Bon courage! xx 
Steve Goan 4/14/2008 $50.00 Best wishes and good luck! 
JAMES from GILBANE 4/14/2008 $25.00 Go Mark 
Andy Lutts 4/14/2008 $100.00 Best of luck to you!  
stoebel family 4/13/2008 $50.00  
Victoria 4/11/2008 $50.00 Thank you for this chance to participate & all best wishes!! 
Lucille Samson 4/11/2008 $100.00 In honor of your son, Xander, in memory of my grandson, Thomas Hartney and all the precious children 
Roger Kaufman & Environments at Work 4/10/2008 $100.00 All of our best wishes 
Eric Olson 4/10/2008 $50.00  
John Pat Nick and Zoe Mathews 4/10/2008 $50.00 You Meches are made from tough stuff! Slow down when you want to rush it, and kick the last 7 miles  
Flory McCarthy 4/10/2008 $100.00  
Amy Powers Carey 4/9/2008 $100.00 Good Luck Mark! Your ready for it......go conquer heartbreak hill!! 
Renee Dean 4/9/2008 $25.00 Good luck Mark we wish you and your family all the best 
Bob Liptrot 4/6/2008 $250.00  
Kelli Stewart 4/4/2008 $25.00 Good luck on this adventure! 
Gina & Rinus 4/3/2008 $100.00 Old age? What old age? Great initiative; enjoy the run! 
Steve Hodge 3/31/2008 $30.00 Good luck on the run. I'll be there to cheer other friends, too. 
The Serinos 3/28/2008 $100.00 Good luck to all of you! 
The Hight Family 3/27/2008 $50.00 Best of luck on race day. 
Rick Southgate 3/25/2008 $25.00 Best Wishes, Rick 
Rick Theder 3/25/2008 $100.00 MGH Pediatric Oncology ROCKS! - Treated my now 6-year old daughter for AML in 2003 
Kondo/Chapman Family 3/25/2008 $100.00 We'll be rooting for you as you pass thru Wellesley! 
Brenda Boissonnault 3/25/2008 $250.00 God Bless & God speed from Peabody Office! 
Buddy Cagnina 3/25/2008 $100.00 Mark, Love to all of you and good luck 
Donna Repko 3/24/2008 $100.00  
Mark David 3/24/2008 $250.00 Best of Luck!!! 
Jim Smith 3/24/2008 $100.00 Good Luck 
Noonan Family 3/22/2008 $100.00 All the best! 
Nicole Valaskatgis and Family 3/21/2008 $50.00 Good Luck!  
Donna Maltzan 3/21/2008 $100.00  
Eric Sheffels 3/20/2008 $100.00 Good luck... 
Ricky McCoy 3/20/2008 $100.00 Good luck in the marathon Mark, and best wishes to Xander and your family. 
Columbia Construction 3/20/2008 $300.00 Best of Luck  
Trachier family 3/20/2008 $100.00  
Mary Ellen and Ray Santangelo (Sweet Santangelo's) 3/19/2008 $50.00 All the best, Mary Ellen and Ray Santangelo 
G. Greene Construction 3/18/2008 $100.00  
Joe Lumino 3/18/2008 $25.00 Best wishes 
Don Mason 3/18/2008 $100.00 My best wishes for continued sucess 
William Gallagher Associates 3/18/2008 $250.00 Best of Luck! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family 
Creative Office Pavilion 3/17/2008 $250.00 Our thoughts and prayers are with you 
leslie oncale herpin 3/17/2008 $100.00 you never know when an old friend will pop up! Meche, wising you the best. 
Sarahtrm 3/17/2008 $50.00 Good Luck! 
Lisa Wexler 3/17/2008 $100.00 Best Wishes 
Jim Kearney 3/16/2008 $50.00 We've joined you - our daughter has just finished chemo - see http://getoutofmyboob.blogspot.com/ 
Ken Woods 3/16/2008 $100.00  
Tamie Thompson 3/16/2008 $100.00 All the best! 
Colleen Doherty 3/16/2008 $100.00 Good luck Mark! We're cheering for you, Xander & the whole family at EBG!  
Ritz Associates 3/16/2008 $100.00  
Grandma Jean 3/15/2008 $500.00  
Victoria Davis 3/15/2008 $100.00 Keep the Faith! Godspeed. 
Al Woods 3/15/2008 $125.00 GREAT cause...Best of luck on Race Day. 
Betsy Toomey 3/15/2008 $25.00 Good Luck 
Annette Austraw 3/14/2008 $25.00 may the gadgets be with you 
Stefan Jouret 3/14/2008 $25.00 Good luck! 
AHA Consulting Engineers 3/14/2008 $100.00 Good luck ! 
Stacey White - Benjamin Moore 3/14/2008 $50.00 Best wishes to you and your family! 
Steve Wassersug 3/14/2008 $100.00 Best of Luck 
Burt Visnick & Bob Caulfield 3/14/2008 $250.00  
Paul & Danika Herrick 3/14/2008 $125.00  
Dermot Roe 3/14/2008 $200.00 Good Luck Mark 
Susan Lippman 3/14/2008 $100.00 In honor of our dear friend Catherine Krumme, age 32, cured of ALL at MGH (1980-86) 
Tom Oprea 3/14/2008 $100.00 Kick butt old friend, Phi Alpha 
Kristin Perkins 3/14/2008 $50.00 Keep up the great work....much love and support to you and yours! 
Joe Correnti 3/14/2008 $100.00 Best of Luck to Alexander and Mark! 
Carolyn Mulcahy 3/14/2008 $50.00  
Jim Smith 3/14/2008 $100.00 Loved the Shuttle pics!! 
Karl Ginand 3/14/2008 $50.00 What a great cause. Good luck on your exciting venture. 
Harish Phadke 3/13/2008 $25.00 Good Luck and God Bless 
Ed MOll 3/13/2008 $30.00 Best wishes to you and your family for health and happiness 
  Page 1 of 2     Latest  << | < | > | >>  Earliest  
* Total raised online: $14,519.50
Amount raised offline: $6,461.50
Grand Total: $20,981.00
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