Founded in 1947 with a mission to provide compassionate care while pursuing cutting-edge research to combat cancer, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, is a world leader in cancer treatment and research. One of its most notable fundraising events is the Jimmy Fund Walk, which began in 1989. The walk traces the Boston Marathon route and raises critical funds for Dana-Farber’s patient care and cancer research programs. Charitable contributions, like those raised through the Jimmy Fund Walk, are essential to the Institute’s success, enabling advancements in cancer therapies and providing hope to countless patients and families.
This year, the official walk day is Sunday October 6, 2024.
The best thing about this event is that ANYONE and EVERYONE can get involved. Many employees create teams and encourage their co-workers to participate in this exciting event. For example, we created an Outpatient and Specialty Pharmacy Team again this year. For those interested in joining the team, there is a very small registration fee, and your minimum fundraising commitment is extremely achievable.
The other thing that is great about this event is the flexibility around when, where, and how far you walk. For example, this year I will be traveling on the Sunday to Nashville, so that wouldn’t work for me. Plus, Sundays in general tend to be busy days for me, with obligations at our local church. So I opted to do my walk on Friday October 4 instead. I chose a 10K route, beginning at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Upton, MA and walking from there to my home in Whitinsville. Well, I ran most of it, but my pace was so slow I appeared to be walking much of the time!
There’s still time to donate if you want! All donations are tax deductible and your name will be proudly included on my donor’s page. Plus, you get the satisfaction of knowing that your generous gift is going directly and fully to support the good work of this non-profit organization dedicated to end cancer and serve patients and their families. Just CLICK HERE to donate today!
The weather couldn’t have been nicer on my walk today. A cool 70 degrees with sunshine and a little cloud cover here and there. The 6.2 mile outdoor began in the lovely little town of Upton, MA. Founded in 1735, Upton was primarily an agricultural community in its early days, and grew alongside the broader development of New England. During the 19th century, the town became notable for its boot and shoe manufacturing industries, which contributed significantly to the local economy.
My journey took me through a part of South Grafton as well, another quaint New England down founded in the 18th century, and deriving its economy from manufacturing, powered by its proximity to the Blackstone River. Today, South Grafton preserves much of its historical charm, with remnants of its mill villages and industrial past still visible in the architecture and layout of the area.
I ended my little run in the historic village of Whitinsville, a part of Northbridge, which has been my home for nearly 30 years. In the early 19th century, the village became a major center for textile manufacturing, largely due to the founding of the Whitin Machine Works in 1831 by Paul Whitin and his sons. This company became one of the largest producers of cotton textile machinery in the world, earning Whitinsville the nickname “The Shop.”
And so that was my 2024 Jimmy Fund walk. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. And I hope you might consider even a small donation to a great organization aimed at eliminating a disease that has taken the lives of so many of our loved ones, including my own.
