The marathon is just about 4 weeks away, and my reason to run this year, my patient partner, is Jenna!  Jenna is an active 5-year-old with a great sense of humor--her mom tells me she loves telling jokes as much as she loves laughing at them.  Jenna also is very creative and curious.  She spends lots of time making music, doing crafts and experiments, and learning about the world around her with visits to museums, zoos and farms. 

At Mass General's Cancer Care for Children the medical treatment is among the best in the world.  The experience they provide for their patients, however, is unmatched.  The staff at Cancer Care for Children is committed to maintaining the highest possible quality of life for each patient and all families.  They want to make sure Jenna's life is as full, lively and enriched as it always has been.  Art and music therapy, sibling and parent support groups, and back-to-school orientation for recovered patients are just a few of the unique programs aimed at ensuring a life that is not just about chemotherapy and check-ups.  The money raised by the Marathon Team directly funds these programs, in addition to supporting ongoing research.  Dr. Howard Weinstein, head of pediatric oncology at MGH, wants a 100% survival rate within 10 years—today the rate is 80%.  At Cancer Care for Children, however, every day involves a 100% passion to care for the whole child, not just her illness.

This year I know exactly why I am running the Boston Marathon.  I will run in honor of every child like Jenna who knows that the life of a child is full of too many wonderful things to let cancer interfere!  I will run in honor of every family who, like Jenna's, rallies around their sibling or child and would do anything to help her win her fight.  I will run for Cancer Care for Children where a cure for cancer is a reality and a well-lived life for every patient is a necessity.  And I will run in honor of all of you who, when asked if you will help me honor Jenna, her family, and Cancer Care for Children, answer, "Yes!"

Thank you for your support!

FUNDRAISING UPDATE:  My second grade students have been working very hard on giving each other Kindness Donations.  Every act of kindness they give to each other is worth 25 cents toward Cancer Care for Children.  So far they have raised over $55!  Awesome work, Room 1!!!