William Lafleur, of Milford, to participate in Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk

As a retired pediatrician and cancer survivor, William Lafleur, 66, of Milford, knows first-hand the importance of raising money to help fund research to advance cancer treatments. In 2011, he was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, a type of cancer in which the bone marrow doesn’t produce enough healthy blood cells. At the time, he and his wife lived in Vermont and they began traveling to Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for treatments. Dr. Lafleur underwent months of chemotherapy followed by a lifesaving bone marrow transplant in which a stranger named Jon from Texas was the match.

In November 2013, Dr. Lafleur traveled to San Antonio to meet Jon at an annual event sponsored by the Cellular Therapy Center in San Antonio of the “Be the Match” program that recognizes employees, volunteers and bone marrow donors, providing bone marrow recipients the opportunity to thank their donors in person. To this day, Dr. Lafleur and Jon maintain their relationship. In July 2013, Dr. Lafleur and his wife moved back to Massachusetts to be close to their children and Dana-Farber, where he continues to go for routine check-ups.

Today, Dr. Lafleur is two-years cancer-free and has minimal lifelong side effects from his transplant and treatments. Grateful for his health, Dr. Lafleur and his three daughters, Emily Lafleur, 37, of Natick, Katie Lafleur, 35, of Natick, and Ann Goutis, 33, of Ashland, will participate in the 26th annual Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai. His grandson, Ethan Goutis, who is 21 months old, will be pushed along the route in a stroller.

On Sept. 21, they will be among more than 5,800 people expected to participate in the one-day fundraising event with the goal of raising $7.5 million for the Jimmy Fund for lifesaving adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber. This will be Dr. Lafleurs’ daughters’ tenth Walk experience and first year walking under the umbrella William’s Wanderers, a team Emily formed in her father’s honor. What will make this year’s walk extra special is that this is the first time Dr. Lafleur will participate in the event. Most years, the sisters achieved Pacesetter status. Pacesetters are extraordinary fundraisers who raise $1,500 or more. To date, the family has collectively raised more than $50,000 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