Community Corner

147 Canton Residents To Walk In Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk

This year's event goal is to raise more than $9 million and all profits will go to the Jimmy Fund.

From Jimmy Fund: 147 residents from Canton will walk up to 26.2 miles along the historic Boston Marathon® course this September in the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walkpresented by Hyundai, which raises the most money of any single day walk in the nation. This year marks the event’s 30th year.

These residents – Sara Marshall, Amy Ennis, Amy Killeen, Tara Shuman, Kathy Butters, Griffin Lincoln, Henry Waggett, Patrick Waggett, Teddy Shuman, Annabel Shuman and 137 others– will join 9,500 expected participants in the annual event, which takes place Sunday, September 23, 2018.

Canton resident Amy Ennis is also a Walk Hero for the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk and will help inspire walkers along the course. Walkers are greeted by poster-sized photographs of Walk Heroes displayed at each mile and half mile along the Boston Marathon® course. Amy was diagnosed with colon cancer which metastasized to her lungs and is being treated at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Walk Heroes are matched with Jimmy Fund Walk teams to give participants an opportunity to connect with patients. Amy Ennis is matched with Team BCB, “Beat Cancer’s Butt.”

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“Like my three-year-old daughter always tells me, ‘just keep swimming mama!’ So, I’m doing just that, and will never ever give up,” said Amy.

This year’s event goal is to raise more than $9 million. The money goes to the Jimmy Fund for adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at the nation’s premier cancer center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The event has raised more than $128 million in its 30-year history. The Boston Athletic Association has supported the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk since 1989, and Hyundai has been the presenting sponsor since 2002.

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“The Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai gives participants the opportunity to personally support breakthroughs in cancer care and research and join the extended Dana-Farer community responsible for these advances,” said Zack Blackburn, assistant vice president of the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. “Walk Heroes remind us why our participation and fundraising are so valuable and make the connection to the event much deeper.”

Walkers can choose from four routes along the historic Boston Marathon® course:

- Marathon Walk (26.2 miles from Hopkinton); rolling start from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.

- Half Marathon Walk (13.1 miles from Wellesley); rolling start from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

- 10K Walk (6.2 miles from Newton); rolling start from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

- 5K Walk (3.1 miles from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston’s Longwood Medical Area); starting at 1:45 p.m. This route will include many patients and their families.

Walkers are treated to 12 refueling stations along the course as well as poster-sized photographs of inspiring Walk Heroes at each mile and half mile marker. All routes conclude at the Copley Square Finish Line where participants can celebrate with food, live entertainment and a speaking program.

All walkers must raise a minimum of $325, except for walkers 12-years-old and younger whose fundraising minimum is $125. Pacesetters are extraordinary fundraisers who raise $1,500 or more or $500 or more for those 12-years-old and younger. There is also a “Virtual Walker” option for those unable to attend the event.

To register for the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai (#JimmyFundWalk), to support a walker, or to volunteer, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call (866) 531-9255. Registrants can enter the promo code NEWS for $5 off the registration fee.

Image via Shuttershock

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