Jacquelyn Overberg, of Danvers, to participate in Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk

For 18 years, Jacquelyn Overberg, 47, of Danvers listened to her aunt, Dotti Basteri, a walker in the inaugural Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai, tell stories of her walk experiences and raising money for cancer research. Then, in June 2007 Basteri suddenly passed away only five short weeks after receiving a diagnosis that her cancer had metastasized 14 years after having melanoma.

In an effort to continue her aunt’s legacy, Overberg started Team Dotti B, representing Basteri’s friends and family who annually participate in the one-day fundraising event in Basteri’s honor. Together, they have walked for 25 years and raised more than 100,000 for the Jimmy Fund.

On Sunday, Sept. 21, members of the team, including Dotti’s nephew Ryan Overberg, 11, will be among more than 8,500 people expected to participate in the 26th annual Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk 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 Cancer Institute.Overberg, the team’s captain, will embark on the Wellesley High School 13.1-mile with a personal fundraising goal of raising $7,000 for the cause.

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.