In April, I will be running my 20th Boston Marathon for Boston Children's Hospital in honor and memory of my friend and patient partner, Will Ward. I was heartbroken by Will's passing in November, just a few months shy of his 21st birthday. Will was born with rare neuromuscular condition, Myotubular Myopathy (MTM). He participated in important, ground-breaking research from the very beginning of his life with the Beggs Lab for Congenital Myopathy Research at Boston Children's Hospital. The funds I am raising will go directly to support research for MTM.
I was blessed to have Will as my patient partner and friend for 16 years. Since 2006, my favorite part of the marathon has been seeing Will and his parents in Wellesley. Will always had a big smile for me and we posed for many photos in our matching baseball hats. Will braved ALL weather conditions on marathon day including the Nor'easter in 2007, the high 80's temps in 2004 & 2012 and in 2019 with the 25-mph head wind and icy rain. The Boston Marathon was our special day.
Running the marathon will be different for me this year, most of my running friends have retired from running the Boston Marathon, and I will likely be running solo. Instead of looking for Will in Wellesley, I will carry his memory in my heart and imagine him cheering me on in heaven with Katie, Steve, Harry and Carol.
I am appreiciative and grateful to my family and freinds who have consistently supported my marathon fundraising through the last twenty years. Thank you for your continued support.
