The MassGeneral Marathon Team Fighting Kids' Cancer ... One Step at a Time was established in 1998 and has raised more than $6.7 million in support of the pediatric hematology-oncology program at MassGeneral Hospital for Children. Thanks to the generous support of John Hancock Financial and other partners, we will continue to run until we find a cure … One Step at a Time.
About the MassGeneral Marathon Team
Howard Weinstein, MD, with a patient partner
The MassGeneral Marathon Team, Fighting Kids Cancer … One Step at a Time, began in 1998 when 10 runners (four of whom are still running with us) raised $45,000 to support the pediatric cancer program at MassGeneral Hospital for Children(MGHfC). I started our team to honor our brave young patients who face their own marathons each and every day as they struggle to live long and healthy lives.
We are now in our 14th year and our marathon team has grown to over 100 runners who have cumulatively raised more than $6.7 million during the past 13 years. All of the money raised by our runners goes directly to the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division at MGHfC and helps support clinical and lab research in childhood cancer and other programs including parent, teen and sibling support groups, and art and music therapy for our patients during their clinic visits.
Our marathon team includes first-time marathoners and experienced runners, parents of our patients, former patients, Mass General employees, and friends who have heard about our program. Each runner is whole-heartedly committed to our cause and the majority of runners participate in our annual Patient Partner program. Initiated at our inaugural run, this is a unique opportunity for some runners to be paired with children who are receiving cancer therapy at MGHfC.
The runners and their patient partners are encouraged to meet before the marathon, but the highlight of the Patient Partner program is the medal ceremony at the pasta dinner during which time the runner presents their patient partner with a personalized marathon medal. The Patient Partner program is a very powerful and motivating experience for our runners, especially on Marathon Monday, when patients and their families along with our staff gather at Mile 20 to cheer on our team. There's nothing like the mile 20 high to help our runners complete the final 6.2 miles of the Boston marathon.
— Howard Weinstein, MD
Mass General Marathon Team Founder
Unit Chief, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
