Canton resident makes strides for Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk

Last year while exiting the subway, Tara Shuman, 34, of Canton, passed by a red, blue and yellow sign frequently whiz by, an advertisement for the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai, a one-day charity event that raises funds for all types of cancer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund. She knew of friends that had walked in the past and was ready to participate. Looking for a way to channel her energy into a positive experience, Shuman registered to participate in the event, just a few weeks short of the Walk, without prior training.

As a cancer survivor, Shuman understands the importance of the money raised by the one-day fundraising event. In August 2012, she was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer and consequently began what would be a difficult course of treatment at Dana-Farber. She underwent a double mastectomy, endured four rounds of chemotherapy, and a one year protocol of Herceptin. Shuman, who credits the Institute with helping to save her life, completed her treatments in October 2013. She continues to go back to Dana-Farber for routine check-ups.

In 2013, Shuman and her son, Teddy, 5, walked the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute three-mile route. For the mother-son duo, three miles just wasn’t enough. This year, Shuman will take on the historic 26.2-mile Boston Marathon® route, with Teddy joining her at mile 21 to walk the remainder of the route by his mother’s side, crossing the official Copley Square finish line together. Shuman and her son will walk under the umbrella Team Tara, a Walk team formed in her honor. Although the team is named for Shuman, her motivation to walk and raise money goes far beyond her cancer battle.

“I have someone to honor for each of the 26.2 miles,” said Shuman. “For some miles, I even have to double up. Seeing the effects cancer can have on someone from both the patient perspective and the point of view of a friend or family member is devastating. The disease has effected almost everyone I know and I am blessed to walk for so amazing people.”

On June 9, Shuman spoke about her cancer experience at Canton High School. As a former Canton High history teacher, she hopes inspire students while also promoting the mission of the Walk.

“I was just a regular person who got sick for no reason,” says Shuman. “I wanted the students to understand how cancer can happen to anyone and they have to power to make a difference. I wanted to show them I am where the money goes.”

Team Tara currently has 53 members, ranging in age from 11 to 70, and has a goal of walking 200 strong by September. Two of the teams youngest members, 8th grader, Griffin Lincoln, and 6th grader, Payton MacDonald, are proud to walk by Shuman’s side. The team hopes to raise $60,000 for the cause. In order to help boost the team’s Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk fundraising campaign, members of Team Tara turned to lemons. On Aug 4, Shuman’s two children and several of their friends set up shop in front of Canton High School to sell fresh squeezed lemonade. At .50 a glass, they raised more than $240 in two hours, an impressive feat for the youngest generation of walkers on Team Tara.

On Sunday, Sept. 21, Shuman and her team will join more than 8,500 people expected to participate in the 26th annual event with the collective goal of raising more than $7.5 million for the Jimmy Fund for lifesaving adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber, bringing the 26-year fundraising total to more than $100 million.

The Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk gives participants a unique opportunity to walk one of four routes along the historic Boston Athletic Association’s Boston Marathon® route and to raise money for Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund. For 26 years, the BAA has supported the Walk.

“The Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk is so important because funds support patient care and cancer research,” says Shuman. “After meeting so many people going through the cancer process, this day unites all of those effected by the disease under one mission, to conquer cancer.”

To register for the 26th annual Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai (#JimmyFundWalk) on Sept. 21, or to support a walker, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call (866) 531-9255. Registration is easy and walkers can enter the discount code NEWS for $5 off.