Arlington, VA, resident and team honored with a ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award by Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk

Arlington, VA, resident and team honored with a ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award

by Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk

Kevin O’Connor recognized for his dedication

to the nation’s most successful single-day fundraising walk

BOSTON — Arlington, VA, resident Kevin O’Connor and Team Darby were honored with a “$500,000 Lifetime Achievement” award for their efforts in the 2016 Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai. O’Connor was among a select group of awardees recognized for his fundraising and commitment to the event at last week’s Extra Mile Brunch.

The Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk is the nation’s most successful single-day fundraising walk. Scheduled for Sunday, September 24, 2017, it is the only organized walk permitted on the Boston Marathon® course. This year’s goal is to recruit more than 9,500 participants and raise more than $9 million for the nation’s premier cancer center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The annual event supports adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber.

O’Connor walks in honor of a dear friend, Darby Stott, a former patient and passionate fundraiser for Dana-Farber, who lost her battle with cancer at the age of 43. “The Walk is special to me because it gives me an opportunity to honor someone I respect so much, and to work toward a goal that was so important to her.” O’Connor continued, “It also is a time to gather with friends and remember Darby, laugh, and tell stories about her—just what she would want.”

“Kevin’s enthusiasm, passion and energy exemplify the unique spirit of this event,” said Zack Blackburn, assistant vice president, Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. “Kevin is a wonderful example of a participant going further– whether in fundraising, team-building or some other way – to honor loved ones and support the next cancer breakthrough.”

To register for the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, or to support a walker, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call (866) 531-9255. Enter the promo code NEWS for $5 off registration.

About the Jimmy Fund

The Jimmy Fund (www.JimmyFund.org) solely supports Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, raising funds for adult and pediatric cancer care and research to improve the chances of survival for cancer patients around the world. It is an official charity of the Boston Red Sox, as well as the official charity of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Pan-Mass Challenge, and the Variety Children's Charity of New England. Since 1948, the generosity of millions of people has helped the Jimmy Fund save countless lives and reduce the burden of cancer for patients and families worldwide. Follow the Jimmy Fund on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thejimmyfund and on Twitter: @TheJimmyFund.

About Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

From achieving the first remissions in cancer with chemotherapy in 1948, to developing the very latest new therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is one of the world’s leading centers of cancer research and treatment. It is the only center ranked in the top 4 of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Hospitals for both adult and pediatric cancer care.

Dana-Farber sits at the center of a wide range of collaborative efforts to reduce the burden of cancer through scientific inquiry, clinical care, education, community engagement, and advocacy. Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center provides the latest in cancer care for adults; Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center for children. The Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center unites the cancer research efforts of five Harvard academic medical centers and two graduate schools, while Dana-Farber Community Cancer Care provides high quality cancer treatment in communities outside Boston’s Longwood Medical Area.

Dana-Farber is dedicated to a unique 50/50 balance between cancer research and care, and much of the Institute’s work is dedicated to translating the results of its discovery into new treatments for patients locally, and around the world.