#teamdottieandmarie

 Some of your know my story, some of you don't....for some of you it will sound familiar. I had a loved one told those 3 dreaded words "You have cancer." There was time when that was a death sentence. The loved one that heard those words was my Mom. I was 8 at the time. My mom fought valiantly for a year, and beat her breast cancer into remission in the spring of 1996. It was hard seeing my mom battle that terrible disease. Especially at an age when I looked at my mom as the healer of all wounds. I remember the relief when she got a clean bill of health. Unfortunately, cancer and the treatment had  taken too much from her in her initial battle. She was only in remission for the first part of the summer, and when it returned it was too much for her already tired body to fight and it quickly took her life on October 2nd 1996. As you can imagine being a 10 year old and watching a faceless enemy devour your mother over the course of 2 years, I was devastated and angry. It wasn't for 12 years and 3 failed suicide attempts later did I finally seek help. Cancer not only infects the bodies of its victims but the hearts and souls of the victims loved ones. I am proud to say that because of organizations like Dana-Farber those 3 dreaded words have lost their sting. Treatments and medicines have accelerated because of all of us. For people like us that can help raise money for all of the brilliant scientists and practitioners to come up with ways so that some day in our future, there will never be a 10 yr old little boy watching his mother lowered into the ground unsure of how is life is going to be affected. Boston was my mothers favorite city. I am honored to run this historic race in honor of my mother, Dorothy Hovey. I am asking for all of your help, to rid this world of this terrible disease.  

 Of course it's not just my mom that has been affected by this terrible disease. Just days after being accepted by Dana-Farber to run for their team, heaven gained another angel, Marie Bowes. I am further inspired by Marie's strength and determination to survive beyond her grand daughter Hannah's birthday. I never had the pleasure of meeting her, however I have met her daughter Kristen, my sister-in-law. As a parent myself, I see the success of her daughter and know the amazing selflessness it must have taken. I can only hope to inspired my own daughter in the way that Marie inspired and supported hers.  

 In 2024, hundreds of Dana-Farber runners will take to the streets to participate in the 128th Boston Marathon®. 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 headed toward the ultimate finish line: a world without cancer.