Reading residents to participate in Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk

READING — 12 residents from Reading will participate in the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai on Sunday, October 6.

 Barbara Calla, Lois Flad, Philip Lam, Kimberly Salley, Christina Ladany, Crystal Hodson McCarthy, Vijay Rajgopalan, Lisa Scherber, Mary Beth Neville, Caitlin Caporale, and two other Reading residents along with thousands of other walkers, will participate in the iconic annual event that unites the community to raise funds and support all forms of adult and pediatric care and research at the nation’s premier cancer center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The Jimmy Fund Walk has raised more than $176 million for Dana-Farber in its 35-year history, raising a record-breaking $9.4 million in 2023.

Lillian (Lily) Adams, age seven, will participate as a Walk Hero for the Jimmy Fund Walk. Heroes are Dana-Farber patients, the heart of the event, who provide inspiration and motivation to walkers along the course. Heroes are matched with Jimmy Fund Walk teams who walk in their honor. Lily was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She will be walking on her match team, Clean Harbors Strong.

 “I am a first grader who loves playing soccer, jumping on the trampoline, and playing with my two dogs, Patch and Isabel,” Lily writes. “I have an older brother, Liam, who I sometimes get along with. Having cancer has been really hard but it hasn't slowed me down! I am most excited about being done with treatment in a few months. I love doing crafts at the Jimmy Fund Clinic. Everyone there is really nice.” 

 "For 35 years, the Jimmy Fund Walk has continuously supported lifesaving research and cancer care at Dana-Farber. Our goal is to build off of the momentum we've established throughout that history, and in 2024, aim to surpass our total from last year by raising $9.5 million,” said Caitlin Fink, assistant vice president of event fundraising. “Fighting cancer is what we do. The Walk unites our community under a common goal —to defy cancer together.” 

To register for the Walk (#JimmyFundWalk) or to support a walker, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call (866) 531-9255. Registrants can enter the promo code NEWS for $5 off the registration fee. All registered walkers will receive a bib, medal, and Jimmy Fund Walk T-shirt.