In a few short weeks, I will be running the 2025 Boston Marathon in memory of my friends Katie Lynch (2002), Steve Burton (2006), Harry Clark (2020), Carol Chaoui (2020), and Will Ward (2021)—all connected to the Boston Children’s Hospital Miles for Miracles Team. Katie Lynch famously walked 26.2 steps at the 2001 Boston Marathon and enthusiastically advocated for the team and the patient partner program. Katie recruited me to join the 2003 team. Steve Burton was a dear friend we recruited to coach the team, and he became a patient partner to Will Ward. Harry Clark was my husband Tim’s patient partner, whom he met through St. Paul’s Church and Cub Scouts. Carol Chaoui made Boston Children’s Hospital an annual beneficiary of the Wellesley Turkey Trot, alongside Dana Farber and the Hannah Randolph Fund. I met Will Ward when he was Steve’s patient partner in 2004. When Steve was too ill to run the 2006 Boston Marathon, I stepped in to run for Steve and Will and have continued every year since—this being my 20th consecutive run for Will. During these years, I was blessed to know and run for Will and become close friends with his wonderful parents. Erin and Mark Ward.
I am honored to run as part of Team Remember, a group within Miles for Miracles dedicated to the memory of loved ones. This marks my 23rd year with the Children’s team and my 24th Boston Marathon overall. The funds raised will benefit the Beggs Lab Congenital Myopathy Research Program, which works tirelessly to improve diagnostic tests, treatments, and therapies for congenital myopathies such as MTM.
Every dollar counts and makes a difference. Please consider donating—your support means the world to me and to the children and families we strive to help.
