Hi Everyone,

This LINK will take you to my Pan-Mass Challenge Profile. This is my personal fundraising website. Join me in reaching this year's goal. There is no donation to small. Thanks in advanced for your help. Last year's gift to the Jimmy Fund of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute represented 100% of all donations, and brought the 30 year total to $270 million.

Thank you, Paul

As many of you know I lost my Dad, Bill, to melanoma this past July. For 2 1/2 years, Dad never let his diagnosis slow him down, continuing to work and help others. His sense of hope, determination and courage amazed me. I also lost my mother-in-law, Donna Johnson, to breast cancer 15 years ago. I did not get the chance to know her as well as I would have liked, but I know she was a special person. What woman has nine children and still finds time to help others? My dad and her actually passed away on the same day, July 23rd. Some may call it a coincidence, but I think not.

On August 7th, I will join more than 5000 cyclists in the Pan-Mass Challenge, a bike-a-thon that raises money for cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. As a daughter, I can not thank DFCI more for the care my Dad received. 100% of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

I will be riding an 84 mile route from Wellesley to Bourne. To take part in this event I need to raise a minimum of $3000 and am asking your help in achieving this goal. Donations are tax deductable and may be made online at my personal Pan-Mass Challenge profile page http://www.pmc.org/profile/LJ0029

If you prefer to write a check please make it out to PMC, and mail it to me at 21 Thyme Lane, North Attleboro, MA 02760. Any contribution you can make toward my ride would be greatly appreciated. The PMC is a way for me to honor my Dad and mother-in-law and, like them, help others.

I thank you in advance for your generosity and support....Lynn Johnson

Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge (DFMC)
I believe that most of you are aware of my diagnosis during the summer of 2008 with lymphoma. I have been through two different forms of treatment, including radiation and rituxan treatments, at Dana Farber, and I am doing very well. I know I probably have a long road ahead of me with other treatments becoming necessary, but I feel I would never be in the great shape that I am in right now without the wonderful care I received at Dana Farber. The rituxan treatments I received were an immunotherapy that is fairly new--only available in the past 2 years, which was created by the incredible research teams at Dana Farber. This new treatment was a much "gentler" approach to cancer treatment, so I did not have to undergo chemotherapy.

I would really love to give back to the people that helped me to get well again. By participating in the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge (DFMC), I'm supporting Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's goal to find better therapies and, ultimately, cures for cancer. The DFMC raises funds for the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Established by J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver in 1987, the Claudia Adams Barr Program fosters scientific breakthroughs by advancing the work of gifted researchers in a variety of basic research disciplines. The DFMC directs 100% of funds raised to the Barr Program, which enables gifted young scientists at the leading edge of discovery to achieve better cure rates and to enhance patients' quality of life.

I hope you will support my challenge by giving a gift to my run and, in doing so, help bring an end to the challenge of cancer: LINK. Your kind support and words of encouragement will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for helping me help Dana-Farber reach the ultimate finish line: a world without cancer.

With great appreciation and many inspired miles to go!
Sincerely, Kim Ashworth

I wanted to take one last moment to say a final "thank you" to everyone that supported me in many different ways during my run for the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge! I am truly overwhelmed by the well wishes, extremely generous financial donations, and wonderful people I am surrounded by! This was a wonderful journey and I want you to know I am so thankful your were part of it with me! I was able to raise almost $8,000 during this short period of time to help find a cure for cancer! Words cannot sum up my gratitude!

I had the privilege of being interviewed by Sports Illustrated the night before the race and I wanted to share this brief video with you--it will be available on their website this week only. I have copied the link here if you'd like to view it!

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/video/si_video/2010/04/26/042610.ashworth_marathon.mov.SportsIllustrated/index.html

Thank you so very much,

Kim (3/27/10)

P.S. -  Follow THIS LINK to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund

For those of you who did not now, my nephews were involved in a tragic car accident on April 17, 2009, at which time, Steven was killed instantly and Michael, with the love and support of his family and friends, managed to fight his way from a deep coma, to back-on-his-feet. Michael is trying to embrace life while honoring his brother's commitments and passion for helping others. It is so hard for me to believe it's been almost a year since this horrific tragedy. The tragedy was literally 3 days before the Marathon, so I will always have bittersweet memories associated with the Boston Marathon.

My brother's strength and determination to see that Steve's memory and his jest for life and helping others is so inspiring, that it makes me want to do more to help.. help where I can. I truly wish you all could have met Steve. He was incredibly caring and generous, always concerned that those around him were comfortable and happy. Steve would do whatever was necessary to ensure that they were happy. Because of this, my brother created the Steven Baach Charities Foundation which carries out the mission " to enrich the lives of disabled and disadvantaged youth by providing them opportunities to attend collegiate and professional sporting events." The success of Steve's Foundation has already helped several young people, through Boys and Girls Clubs and various other community-based organizations, dedicated to helping young people in need.

Please join me for a Run to Remember Steve on Saturday, April 10 at Panera Bread in Plainville. If you choose to contribute to Steve's Fund, you may do so that day or by sending a check made out to The Steven Baach Charities Fund and mail to Sandy Sheehy at: 38 Pine Bough Ave, N. Attleboro, MA 02760. I will collect all donations and send them to The Foundation as one generous contribution from all my amazing and supportive friends. I would love to have as many people at The Run to Remember Steve as possible, to help celebrate his life with me. THANK YOU for your continued support and encouragement throughout these difficult times.

Mike Baach c/o Sandy Sheehy

Please find this note from my brother, Mike, who wanted to make sure that all who participated in Steve's Run realized how much their support has meant to him. I, too, wanted to recognize all that contributed to Steve's Charities at Steve's Run and let you know again, how deeply grateful I am for your support. Unfortunately, I was unable to keep track of those folks who so generously handed me cash. Between Steve's Run and those of you who sent checks through Marathon Monday we raised and incredible $3000. The Steven Baach Charities Fund is looking to give back in the Boston area. The criteria is simple. The receiving organization must have some connection to sports or the outdoors in some way and benefit young people. If you have any ideas, please let me know.
Sandy,
I wish that I could reach each and every one of your running mates to thank them for their kindness and generosity. The Board of Directors of the Steven Baach Charities Fund cannot believe the level of support your group has provided to Steve’s Fund. You know he is looking down smiling with pride in you and your friends.
Please pass along my thanks to everyone.
Much love,
Michael K. Baach

I'm running my 9th Boston Marathon on behalf of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. This disease has tormented humanity for thousands of years! In the few minutes that it takes for you to read this message, 8 Americans will be diagnosed with diabetes ~ a lifelong journey that is often times a perilous struggle for survival!

The Olympics may be over for the world's elite athletes, but in this corner of the world, many New Englanders (Wamps, too!) are preparing for a world class event! Since 2000, I have run the 26.2 course from Hopkinton to Boston on behalf of my nephew and countless other children and young adults who have had to invite the devastating disease of Type 1 diabetes into the homes ~ one that can cause chronic illness, kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage and death. JDRF is committed to dedicate the lion's share of funds to research! So, as I run a cautious pace on Marathon Monday, I'll know that each deliberate step is my reward in the efforts put forth for this worthwhile cause ~ to speed the pace of science and a CURE!!

Please know that I independently fundraise for the JDRF and am not able to receive a charity number. Therefore, qualification is my ticket in. But, the triumph is always worth it when I cross the finish line and help
JDRF continue to find breakthrough discoveries of treatment and research to stamp out diabetes forever.
If you're interested in donating, please mail a check to Mary Tolland, 8 Mozart Dr., Walpole, MA 02081. Checks should be made payable to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Thanks so much.
Mary Tolland

Dear Wamps:
Thanks so much for recognizing the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) as one of the charities that the Club donated to this year as we celebrate yet, another Boston Marathon. The Foundation, compared to many on the 26.2 course, is not widely represented by runners, so I am proud to run towards the finish and help find a cure for diabetes. Again, I realize that many worthwhile causes are out there on the course. I thank you for selecting JDRF and for all that you do.
Mary Tolland

Deana's 5th and final Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge!
It has been 5 amazing years running for Dana-Farber with the road and moral support from my Betty/Wamp team!   I am thankful to you all for getting me far past the first one!

With that I am asking your support to the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Basic Innovative Cancer Research through Dana-Farber.   I am running this year for too many people, among them the first person to inspire me to run.   Please consider donating online at http://www.runDFMC.org/2010/deanad or send a check made out to Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge to Deana DeSilva, 3 Kybren Cir, Mansfield, MA 02048.

Thank you!

Mass Eye and Ear has taken very good care of two of my daughters who have had a few surgeries there and I am very proud to be raising money for their doctors Fellowship Program.

Please visit our fundraising page. Lindsey, Robyn, and I are running the Boston Marathon for Mass Eye and Ear in Boston. To donate online visit www.firstgiving.com/julieluistro. Or checks can be mailed to me and made payable to the Foundation of Mass. Eye and Ear, Inc.Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. My address is Julie Luistro, 27 Harold K. Waterson Lane, North Attleboro, MA 02760.

Thank you, Julie

This year Bill McGinnis and Joe Kvilhaug will be running Boston on behalf of the Ian Greenblatt Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Ian Greenblatt had just graduated from the Rivers School in Weston in June 2004 and was riding on the passenger side of a car with some friends when they were broadsided by an SUV in New York City. Ian, who had been accepted at Colgate earlier that year died 10 days later from injuries sustained in the crash. His father, Mitchell Greenblatt is the Director of Social Services at Wrentham Developmental Center. He is a good friend.

Thanks very much, Joe