On Monday, April 17th, I will run the Boston Marathon to benefit the Vernon Cancer Center (VCC) at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. More specifically, the money I raise will go to the Caterina Allia Fund to support breast cancer patients and their families at the VCC.  Caterina was a Waltham resident who lost her battle with cancer in 2014.  Her daughter-in-law, Courtney, is one of my teammates.  My goal is to raise $5,000. I hope you will consider supporting me.

 The road from Hopkinton to Boylston Street is a long one, but the race will only take up four hours of my life.  Cancer patients and their families have a more challenging road ahead of them.  Their marathon will take months, if not years, and they need our support. 

The VCC provides world class comprehensive treatment to patients – right in the same community where many patients live. The VCC makes sure that patients and families have access to integrative support services - regardless of their ability to pay. These services are so important to the well-being and recovery of patients. Yet, most insurance reimburses very little, if any, of the costs. The VCC offers a full range of services. These include nurse navigators who provide support from diagnosis through the entire continuum of care, nutrition services, genetic counseling, art therapy, yoga, reiki, psycho-social support and PACT—a parent guidance program for patients with children.

 I am running in honor of my grandfather who lost his battle to cancer 24 years ago.   I am running in honor of those who faced cancer and fought back (my father, grandmother, friends and other relatives) after receiving treatment and support from local hospitals and the community.  I am also running in honor of all the past and current VCC patients.  Please support my Boston Marathon run and make a gift to the Vernon Cancer Center today.