Kaitlin McKinley, of Canton, to participate in Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk

Kaitlin McKinley, 25, of Canton, views her life in two segments. There was life before her younger sister, Madison, was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) during a routine kindergarten check-up with her pediatrician and then there has been every day since. For the last 12 years, Maddy, now 19, has bravely battled ALCL, going to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund Clinic for chemotherapy treatments, all while keeping a smile on her face.

Kaitlin’s grandmother, Beverly, is a two-time cancer survivor and her cousin, Drew, who was more like a brother to her, and her grandfather, Bob, both lost their lives to the disease. Her family’s experience with cancer is the reason Kaitlin works in Dana-Farber’s Development Department and is her motivation to participate in the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai.Her family’s experience with cancer is also the reason she met her fiancé, Tim Becker, whose younger sister is also a Jimmy Fund Clinic patient and a friend of Maddy’s.

On Sunday, Sept. 21, Kaitlin will be among more than 8,500 people expected to participate in the 26th annual event. They will walk to collectively raise more than $7.5 million for the Jimmy Fund for lifesaving adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber. Kaitlin, a 2011 Boston College graduate, will tackle the Boston College five-mile route with members of her family, including Maddy, waiting for her at the official Copley Square finish. This will be Kaitlin’s third Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk experience. Her goal is to become a Pacesetter, an extraordinary fundraiser who raises $1,500 or more.

On the evening of Sept. 21, the Prudential Center and The Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge will glow in red and yellow to mark the 26th annual Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk.

This year’s event will bring the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk’s 26-year fundraising total to more than $100 million. 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.