One Woman's Mission: Run to Help Beat Cancer

Gail Welsh is tired of watching people she cares about living with cancer while she sits idly by wishing for a cure or a better treatment.

“Just recently, we buried a fifth grade girl who had died from the disease,” Welsh said. “I also have a dear friend who is living with cancer and is my inspiration. I could not continue to just sit on the couch and do nothing.”

Welsh will be running the Boston Marathon on April 16 as part of the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge team. There are several members of the team, but getting a spot is not an easy process.

“It all begins with an  application,” Welsh said. “This is not a quick process with yes or no answers they are looking for what motivates people to run and why they run. They are more interested in looking for connections than committed runners.”

That having been said, Welsh is a committed runner having run since she was in high school.

“I started to run back in high school as a way to get out from under my parents,” Welsh said. “My brother was killed by a drunk driver when I was 16 and I ran to think and grieve. Exercise has always made me feel better, and helped me to think things through.”

Now, Welsh is running 30 miles a week and is expected to begin to add mileage in the next few weeks.

“I am nervous to go beyond that 30 miles,” she said. “I run a nine to ten minute mile and each week I spend six or more hours running. I don’t know how I will add to that and keep up with my family, but I will.”

When not on the roads running or in the gym cross-training, Welsh can be found in the classroom at where she teaches library to all of the kids in the school.

“Being around kids as a part time teacher is definitely part of my motivation,“ Welsh said. “I worry about our kid's future, and I think it is a great live lesson for them to realize that they can help others. I really want to set a great example and teach them to think beyond their own needs and wants.”

To that end, Welsh was insistent on running for Dana Farber with all of her heart and soul on the line.

“At first, I really didn’t want people to know what I was doing, “Welsh said. “But then I realized that the only way to raise the $8,000 goal I set for myself would be to let people know what I’m up to. It’s not about self glory, but about helping others.”

Dana Farber requires each runner to raise $4,000, but Welsh hopes to raise double that amount. She chose to run for Dana Farber as she believes in their mission and in the way they treat their patients and others.

“I have friends who get, or have gotten, treatments at Dana Farber,” Welsh said. “They all rave about how well they are treated  and how committed the organizations is to finding a cure. That matters to me.”

Having never run more than a half marathon, Welsh is excited to meet her goal of running the whole 26.2 miles. She is also amazed at the generosity of spirit of all whom she’s met on her journey.

“People have been so generous with both their time and their money,” Welsh said. “And they really need to know how motivating their emails are - that means so much to me.”

“Dana Farber has a dedicated program called the Claudia Adams Barr Foundation which guarantees that 100 percent of money raised will go to breast and brain cancer research. I'm raising money for that organization.

“Any amount is welcome,” Welsh said. “I really want to reach as many people as possible and make a difference."

If you would like to help Welsh reach her fundraising goal, you can visit www.rundfmc.org/gailw to donate.