About Me

My Goal: Run the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2019 with the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge. Raise $17,000 (or more!) where 100% of funds raised benefit the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research. I run in honor of my friend Chris Davie who is battling brain cancer. I also run in honor for my friend RJ and his continued cancer-free life, in memory of Heather Thomson, and for other family and friends who are or have battled cancer. Together we can help Dana-Farber Cancer Institute reach the ultimate finish line: a world without cancer

Barr Program Impact Statements

Barr Program Impact Statements

Immunotherapies: New Ways to Activate the Immune System—An important area of cancer research asks why the human body's defense systems do not always attack and destroy tumors as they form. Funded by the Claudia Adams Barr Program, Glenn Dranoff, MD, discovered complex regulatory pathways in the human immune system that cancers exploit in order to escape destruction. Reversal of these effects can lead to the development of vaccines against cancer, like Provenge for prostate cancer. This research has also enabled the development of immune-activating drugs such as ipilimumab, which showed striking effects in melanoma in a trial led by Dana-Farber scientists and is now approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Remembering 2013

This week has brought back a number of memories of last year's marathon, both good and less so. Tuesday was the 1 year anniversary of the marathon bombings and after an early morning appointment I walked around Copley for a short time.   All the news trucks were out and security was already present.  I'm not really sure what to say about the day except that the memorial and tribute ceremony were well done.  Hearing from several of the survivors, including Patrick Downes who spoke to the DFMC team previously, was impactful and helped me prepare for this coming Monday.

News trucks on Boylston Street
The marathon finish line is on the left and a small wreath at the site of the first bombing.



Finish line on Boylston St.
On my way to work I wanted to take a minute and stop by Sean's memorial outside of MIT as Friday is the 1 year anniversary of his death.


I'm not sure what to expect on Monday over the marathon course, but know that it will be a special day here in Boston.  Having family and friends along the course, including RJ and all the DFMC patient partners at mile 25, will propel me from Hopkinton and down through Kenmore Square.  As in past years, running in support of those who are battling or have battled cancer will be incredibly motivating.   The hardest part will certainly be turning onto Boylston St and running the last 1/4 mile, passing the 2 locations of the bombings. Running in remembrance of those injured or killed last year is incredibly meaningful. Hopefully those individuals know that all 36,000 runners are running with them in our hearts and, in some small way, this provides a little comfort on what's sure to be a difficult day for many.
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