A decade ago, I heard three words that changed my life: You have cancer.
2015-2016 was a paradox full of fear and hope. I was lucky because I was treated with an innovative protocol: my boarderline mucinous ovarian cancer cells of the intestinal type responded to the traditional colon cancer chemotherapy rather than the traditional ovarian cancer chemotherapy. Five surgeries and six chemo rounds later, my cancer hasn’t returned. Instead, I have gotten stronger, braver. And, now I have the opportunity to run the Boston Marathon to raise funds that will save the lives cancer patients like me. This is a result of cancer research.
Sometimes I ponder the sheer impact cancer research has, extending far beyond giving the patient hope and survival. Because of cancer research, I am alive. And because I am alive, I have educated over 1,500 students in Palm Beach County public schools. I have assisted hundreds of students with their college essays, helping them earn admission into their dream university. I have volunteered hundreds of hours and fundraised thousands of dollars for the Junior League of Palm Beaches, focusing on improving the lives of foster children, increasing literacy, and creating period supply pantries. Cancer research permeates far beyond the obvious. And I am most excited to give back to an organization that has given me the gift of life so that I can continue to positively impact others throughout the community.
This April, I, along with hundreds of Dana-Farber runners, will take to the streets to participate in the 130th Boston Marathon® presented by Bank of America. The Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team runs and raises funds with thousands of special people in mind. From Hopkinton to Boston, we carry thoughts of those people every step of the way.
One hundred percent of every dollar raised by the DFMC team supports the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. These funds are fueling some of today’s most promising basic cancer research.
Thank you for your support! Together, we’re helping Dana-Farber defy cancer, 26.2 miles at a time.
Donations can be made by visiting http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/JenRunsBoston
