All photos by Shaun Kenney
People in matching blue shirts that read “Walk together against cancer” made their way from Hopkinton to the Natick Common, the 27.5-mile route of the Boston Marathon, as part of the 38th annual Jimmy Fund Walk for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute on Oct. 4. Volunteers stood at the corner of East Central and Main streets, cheering on walkers and handing out stickers.
Walkers started in Hopkinton between 5:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. and reached Natick between 10 a.m. and noon.
People walked through Natick wearing shirts with stickers that read “we walk for…” on them to write the names of people in their lives that are fighting the disease.
The Jimmy Fund Walk started in 1989 with the support of the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) as a critical resource for gaining funds needed for adult and pediatric cancer care and research for Dana-Farber, according to The Jimmy Fund.
It is also the only other event, besides the Boston Marathon itself, allowed to use the entirety of the famous route and brand itself around it due to its relationship with the B.A.A.
Many of the walkers shared how they were walking for friends, family, and others they know who are fighting cancer or have died from the disease.
“They go through so much; why not walk 26 miles?” Lydia Shields, who participates in the walk every year, said while getting a snack at a refueling station on Natick Common.
This walk means “everything” for Shields because she keeps coming back to walk for a cause that has impacted her in numerous ways.
Shields carried a pink T-shirt emblazoned with a name tag listing people in her life who are currently living with cancer or have died from it.
Shields walked with a friend by her side, supporting her along the route.
No matter the reason everyone was walking, people were in high spirits.
At the refueling station, many tables were set up with cups of water, bananas, granola bars, and various chips.
Equipped with volunteers supporting walkers with hand clappers, just past the refueling tables with snacks and water, sat a medical tent with more volunteers aiding people to continue their walk.
Judd Rottenberg, principal of Long’s Jewelers, one of the sponsors of the refueling station, wore a shirt with two names — Beckett and Nolan, children who are currently undergoing treatment for cancer at Dana-Farber. He said the store sponsors two children every year.
“It was a no-brainer to be involved with this,” he said.
Avery Casper-Filbin, director of human resources for Long’s Jewelers, said they have a chance to visit and get to know the children they sponsor each year.
Rottenberg and Casper-Filbin mentioned they’ve been able to visit and make a meaningful connection with Beckett and Nolan.
“We’re able to meet them and help raise funds for them,” Casper-Filbin said.
This story is part of a partnership between the Natick Report and the Boston University Department of Journalism’s Newsroom program.
People in matching blue shirts that read “Walk together against cancer” made their way from Hopkinton to the Natick Common, the 27.5-mile route of the Boston Marathon, as part of the 38th annual Jimmy Fund Walk for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute on Oct. 4. Volunteers stood at the corner of East Central and Main streets, cheering on walkers and handing out stickers.
Walkers started in Hopkinton between 5:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. and reached Natick between 10 a.m. and noon.
People walked through Natick wearing shirts with stickers that read “we walk for…” on them to write the names of people in their lives that are fighting the disease.
The Jimmy Fund Walk started in 1989 with the support of the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) as a critical resource for gaining funds needed for adult and pediatric cancer care and research for Dana-Farber, according to The Jimmy Fund.
Volunteers supported walkers along the route
It is also the only other event, besides the Boston Marathon itself, allowed to use the entirety of the famous route and brand itself around it due to its relationship with the B.A.A.
Many of the walkers shared how they were walking for friends, family, and others they know who are fighting cancer or have died from the disease.
“They go through so much; why not walk 26 miles?” Lydia Shields, who participates in the walk every year, said while getting a snack at a refueling station on Natick Common.
This walk means “everything” for Shields because she keeps coming back to walk for a cause that has impacted her in numerous ways.
Shields carried a pink T-shirt emblazoned with a name tag listing people in her life who are currently living with cancer or have died from it.
Shields walked with a friend by her side, supporting her along the route.
No matter the reason everyone was walking, people were in high spirits.
At the refueling station, many tables were set up with cups of water, bananas, granola bars, and various chips.
Equipped with volunteers supporting walkers with hand clappers, just past the refueling tables with snacks and water, sat a medical tent with more volunteers aiding people to continue their walk.
Judd Rottenberg, principal of Long’s Jewelers, one of the sponsors of the refueling station, wore a shirt with two names — Beckett and Nolan, children who are currently undergoing treatment for cancer at Dana-Farber. He said the store sponsors two children every year.
“It was a no-brainer to be involved with this,” he said.
Avery Casper-Filbin, director of human resources for Long’s Jewelers, said they have a chance to visit and get to know the children they sponsor each year.
Rottenberg and Casper-Filbin mentioned they’ve been able to visit and make a meaningful connection with Beckett and Nolan.
“We’re able to meet them and help raise funds for them,” Casper-Filbin said.
This story is part of a partnership between the Natick Report and the Boston University Department of Journalism’s Newsroom program.