April 20, 2001

As their running shoes pounded the pavement on Marathon Monday, 74 runners brought smiles and cheers to an enthusiastic crowd gathered at the 20-mile mark in Newton. These determined runners were members of the MassGeneral Marathon Team "Fighting Kids' Cancer ... One Step at a Time," and their goal not only was to finish one of the most prestigious races in the country, but also to help raise money for pediatric cancer research at the MGH.

The marathon team — made up of physicians, nurses, staff, family and members of the community — set a goal of raising $400,000 this year. Many participants ran in honor of pediatric cancer patients at MassGeneral Hospital for Children.

On Marathon morning, the runners geared up for the race with team captain Howard Weinstein, MD, chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology for MassGeneral Hospital for Children. A pre-marathon gathering was held at the pediatric dental practice of Nadia Diab, DDS, and Ken Webb, DDS, in Hopkinton. Young patients, their families, friends and MGH employees cheered from the sidelines as the runners made their way up the famous Heartbreak Hill in Newton, known for its agonizingly steep incline. The group of more than 150 MGH fans celebrated the runners' impending finish with refreshments donated and served by Joey Crugnale, founder and president of Naked Fish Restaurants, and his staff. A lemonade stand and bake sale, run by neighborhood kids and staff of the MGH Pediatric Oncology Clinic, also contributed more than $700 to the team's fundraising goal.

After giving a high-five to their runners at mile 20, many of the pediatric patient partners were transported to Copley Square in the Naked Fish Mini Van in time to cheer their marathon heroes across the finish line.