As most know, I ran my first 5 years in honor of RJ, my patient partner. Numerous people have asked about the program and though I've written about it before, I wanted to mention it again. The Patient Partner program, and it's sister program - the In Memory Of program, are a part of the DFMC experience that only a limited number of runners experience firsthand. Runners are encouraged to apply to the programs, but there are a limited number of families that participate. The Patient Partners are kids going through or who have gone through cancer treatment at Dana-Farber and they choose to participate in the program. The In Memory Of program is similar, but participating families have lost a child to cancer. Both programs are incredibly moving and though RJ and I have "graduated" from the program, we have a lot of memories from our experience.
I mention these programs as a precursor to our DFMC banners. Every week at our group runs, we sign several banners for individuals battling cancer. These banners carry words of encouragement to runner's family members, friends, or even the family dog. I've requested several banners for friends in the past and they are greatly appreciated. Pictured here are the banners for just some of this year's Patient Partners. We signed ~18 after a group run and hopefully our words of encouragement help these kids in their weeks and months ahead. These banners and the stories that accompany them will continue to motivate me and all of this year's runners as we continue our training and fundraising.
Thank you to everyone who has donated thus far, helping raise more than $6,500 for innovative cancer research. Hopefully we'll pass the 1/2 way mark soon and $15,000 will soon follow!
No comments:
Post a Comment