Northborough Woman Runs Boston Marathon for Children's Hospital

This year, for the first time, Kate Gamache will run the 116th Boston Marathon. As a member of the Children's Miles for Miracles Team, Gamache is running in honor of her kids, all three who have needed the services of Children's Hospital Boston.

Miles for Miracles team members raise funds for Children’s Hospital Boston’s areas of greatest need: patient care; medical research; recruitment and training; and community health programs. Runners like Kate meet their fundraising goal through sponsorships, personal donations, and pledges from their families, friends, community and coworkers.

"Children's Hospital has been a vital part of our lives since the day our first son was born in June of 2002," said Gamache, who lives with her family in Northborough. "Cole was born 10 weeks early and spent his first few critical days in the NICU at Children's Hospital. Our three-pound baby boy was one of the healthiest patients in that NICU, believe it or not! Cole has thrived and done so well considering his early arrival."

Cole is still followed by the endocrinology department at Children's Hospital. 

The Gamaches' daughter Ella was born in 2007 and suffered from a swallowing disorder, and is now a patient of the Center for Aero Digestive Disorders Team at Children's. She has made great progress, transitioning to drinking thin fluids 15 months ago.

Their middle son, too, needed the expertise of Children's Hospital. Jackson was born in 2004 and diagnosed, after many months, in 2010 with undifferentiated spondyoarthropathy, which falls under the umbrella of rheumatic diseases.

"He takes a few different kinds of medication everyday as well as injections once a week," said Gamache. "He is seen every few weeks at Children's by all of his specialists. It has been a trying year but Jackson makes progress steadily and he is one of the bravest kids we know."

The program has raised more than $14.3 million for Children’s Hospital since 1996 through the efforts of more than 2,000 runners.

Click here if you would like to support Gamache and the team. 

You may also send a donation to Kate Gamache at 34 Indian Meadow Dr. Northborough, MA 01532. Checks should be made out to Children’s Hospital Boston.

"I am running in honor of my children," said Gamache, "but I am also running in memory of two other children our family knew. Kendall Rose Davis lost a short battle with bacterial meningitis at Children's in 2007. Dylan Seymour fought pediatric cancer (JMML). He spent months on end at Children's. He lost his battle in May 2010."

A benefit to raise funds will be held on March 23 at Speakers Night Club in Marlborough. The event includes a deejay, dancing, raffles and more. A $20 donation is suggested at the door.