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.

Monday, March 25, 2019

Training Peaks



Saturday's group run was the peak of our training season.  The DFMC team met at Boston College around mile 22 of the marathon course.  Our route was an out-and-back and by running out 11 miles, we hit miles 11-22 on the course much like we would on marathon day.  With this being the longest training run, DFMC teammates traveled from around New England, NY and PA to join 'the regulars' for this run.

We started the run with a lot of encouragement from some of our teammates and volunteers who have lost family members to cancer.  This is always an inspirational time and a good reminder why we're running and fundraising.  We were also reminded that in its 30th year, DFMC is close to reaching $100 million raised for innovative cancer research! To reach this goal, we need to raise $7.3 million this season and we've already raised $3+ million this year!  With all these positive vibes, we set out for our 22 mile training run.

It was a windy and blustery day to start, but running into a stiff headwind could only mean a nice tailwind on the way back, which is what we got.  The day warmed up and skies cleared as we pushed along and we finished the run a bit tired, a bit sore but with smiles on our faces. We now have less than 3 weeks until the marathon on April 15 and though I'll continue to train during the weeks, I'll be backing off just a bit.  Fingers are crossed for a good day and no injuries before then (nor daycare germs) but whatever April 15 delivers, I'll reach Boston and cross the finish line, motivated by Chris and the Davie family and all of the support people have provided this year.




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