If you’re feeling like a brisk walk in the next few weeks, and contributing to a great cause, there’s an event coming up you’ll want to know about — the annual Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk.
Registration is now open for the walk, presented by Hyundai. And it’s the first time the walk is back in person in two years.
During the pandemic, participants walked “virtually,” and that will remain an option this year.
The event is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 2, and all funds raised will support all forms of adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
The “money goes toward helping sustain Dana-Farber’s lifesaving work and funds things like: ground-breaking clinical trials, the development of new cancer fighting drugs, and equipment that enables revolutionary discoveries,” according to JimmyFund.org.
“Throughout the past 33 years, the Jimmy Fund Walk has continuously supported life-saving research and cancer care at Dana-Farber. And the pandemic didn’t stop us,” said Zack Blackburn, director of the Jimmy Fund Walk. “Over the past two years, participants walked virtually and celebrated in their own unique ways. Now, we welcome them to walk the course in person.
“We are back, we are together, and we are stronger than ever,” Blackburn said.
More:Jimmy Fund Walk event handbook
Four ways to walk
Jimmy Fund Walk participants will have four options to choose from in terms of distances to walk. There’s the 5K walk (3.1 miles from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute); a 10K walk (6.2 miles from Newton); a half-marathon Walk (13.1 miles from Wellesley); and a marathon walk (26.2 miles from Hopkinton).
According to statement from the Jimmy Fund, no matter what route walkers choose, “participants will be treated to 12 refueling stations as well as poster-sized photographs of patients – Jimmy Fund Walk Heroes – displayed at each mile and half-mile marker as inspiration. All four routes of the Jimmy Fund Walk end at the Copley Square Finish Line with a celebration complete with food, music, and a speaking program.”
Pick your own Jimmy Fund route
“If walkers wish to participate a bit closer to home, the Jimmy Fund Walk has flexible opportunities. Participants can also join the event virtually by ‘walking their way’ from wherever they are most comfortable — in their neighborhood, on a favorite hiking trail, or on a treadmill at home. Virtual programming and supporting materials will be available,” according to the Jimmy Fund.
Participants may also choose to walk in teams with a combination of family, friends or community members who come together against cancer to make a difference.
“Teams often rally together in honor of a loved one to show their support,” according to the walk’s website.
The Jimmy Fund Walk has raised more than $155 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in its 33-year history.
To register for the Jimmy Fund Walk (#JimmyFundWalk) or to support a walker, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call 866-531-9255. All registered walkers will receive a bib, medal, and a Jimmy Fund Walk T-shirt.
About the Jimmy Fund (according to JimmyFund.org)
“The Jimmy Fund, established in Boston in 1948, is comprised of community-based fundraising events and other programs that, solely and directly, benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s lifesaving mission to provide compassionate patient care and groundbreaking cancer research for children and adults. The Jimmy Fund is an official charity of the Boston Red Sox, 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.
“In 1948, the Jimmy Fund was launched with the help of the Variety Club of New England. Jimmy’s story began that same year when Dr. Sidney Farber’s 12-year-old lymphoma…
Read More: Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk is back Oct. 2 to fight cancer