Last night, I attended the first 2012 MGH Marathon Team Meeting. I was really looking forward to kicking things off and getting a chance to see who else is participating this year, so my excitement only grew when I walked into a jam packed room of runners!
We were all handed a huge packet as soon as we arrived with TONS of information about the marathon and being a part of the team. Then, we heard from several team leaders who reviewed topics like fundraising, training, nutrition and the patient-partner program. I am so impressed and grateful for all of the resources and events that are offered to members of this team. How many first time marathoners get things like a one-on-one meeting with a nutritionist and medical resident to develop a personalized diet or weekly get togethers to keep you on track with those increasingly difficult long runs? They are really setting us up for success in every way possible!
We also heard from Dr. Howard Weinstein, who founded this team in 1998, and will be running his 24th marathon (23rd for charity) in April. This man is truly inspiring and is clearly passionate about the patient population that he serves. Can you believe he raised over $92,000 for this cause last year? Most would stop at that and pat themselves on the back, but he continues to raise the bar for himself and the group. He's set a team goal of $1 million dollars this year! I'm up for the challenge!
I truly can't wait for the next several weeks to unfold. I know there will be so much to share! Continue checking back when you can and if you haven't done so already, please consider donating. Any amount will put us closer to reaching and (hopefully) exceeding Dr. Weinstein's goal! To make a donation, please click the link to my Fundraising page in the top right corner.
It's official! On April 16th, 2012 I'll be running in the Boston Marathon. Although it's still a little hard to believe, I am so excited for what the next few months have in store!
As someone who has been a long distance runner since high school, I've always toyed with the idea of training for a marathon. But, if I'm being totally honest, I always worried that I would burn out during my training and wind up paying for it on race day. In this case, that couldn't be less of a concern because as a part of the MassGeneral Hospital (MGH) Marathon Team, I have the best motivation in the world.
The MGH Marathon Team began in 1998 and has since raised over $6.7 million dollars - all of which has been contributed to MassGeneral Hospital forChildren (MGHfC). More specifically, the Child-Life Program within the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at MGHfC benefits every year from the funds raised by the Marathon Team. The program utilizes therapeutic play — including music and art therapy, massage and acupuncture — to help pediatric cancer patients and their families cope emotionally and developmentally with their illnesses. This year, more patients than ever before utilized Child-Life services, an indication of the growing popularity of the programming, the recognition of its importance and the program’s ability to continue to expand its offerings — thanks in large part to philanthropic dollars.
As a part of this year's team, I have committed to raising a minimum of $5,000 for this program and the hospital's youngest cancer patients. It fills me with great pride to be able to give back to MGH and to this specific patient population in such a meaningful way.
If you would like to join me on this journey, you can make a donation by visiting my fundraising page. Please remember that any contribution, regardless of how great or small, will make a difference in the lives of these children and their families. Also, don't forget to check back here for updates over the next four months. There is much more to come!
