Neighbor News
Wendy Tyra, of Wayland, to participate in Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk
Wendy Tyra, of Wayland, walks for daughter.
Twenty years ago, Wendy Tyra, 53, of Wayland, received some of the worst news a parent could face. Her daughter Elizabeth, then two years old, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). For the next two years, the mother-daughter duo spent much of their time going to and from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund Clinic for Elizabeth’s chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Elizabeth, now 22, is a recent graduate of Smith College with a degree in American Studies and plans to pursue a career in Costuming or Historical Interpretation. Her success can be greatly attributed to the care she received at the Jimmy Fund Clinic.
As a thank you, Wendy annually participates in the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai which raises funds for the Jimmy Fund for lifesaving adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber.
On Sunday, Sept. 21, Wendy will be among more than 8,500 people expected to participate in the 26th annual event with the goal of raising more than $7.5 million. She will take on the historic 26.2-mile Boston Marathon® route under the umbrella Walking Miles for Elizabeth Smiles, a returning Walk team formed in Elizabeth’s honor representing friends and family of the Tyras. Wendy is the team’s founder and captain. This will be her 19th Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk experience. The team hopes to raise $10,000 for the cause and has raised more than $180,000 throughout the years.
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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. Registration is easy and walkers can enter the discount code NEWS for $5 off.
