AGAWAM — When Agawam resident Suzanne Smith started participating in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk in 2014, she went with a team of four people. A decade later, her team, 4U, has grown into 25 people and has raised about $200,000 for cancer research.
“It now consists of cancer survivors, as well as supporters,” she said.
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On Sunday, Oct. 6, those survivors and supporters will be walking the full 26.2-mile Boston Marathon route to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
Smith started participating after a group of her friends under the age of 40 were diagnosed with cancer, two of whom had incurable cases. The two received treatment at Dana-Farber; one is still alive. Looking for ways to help, Smith turned to the Jimmy Fund Walk.
“I’m really impressed with the patient care and patient support that Dana-Farber offers, as well as the research that’s shared internationally,” she said. “You feel like you make a difference locally and beyond Massachusetts.”
She also said the institute takes care of both patients and their families, offering support groups for the latter, helping with grocery bills or providing activities to go to.
At first, Smith was nervous about the route, thinking of Heartbreak Hill around the 22-mile mark, the point in the grueling marathon where many runners reach the limits of their endurance. She’s more confident now. 4U has a “pit crew,” for lack of a better word, that meets with them to give them water.
During the walk, 4U carries tokens in memory of someone who experienced cancer or in honor of someone who is experiencing it now. For a dog-lover, that could mean carrying a dog tag. One person was a carpenter, so team members carried a pencil. For a friend whose father was known for his handlebar mustache, team members wore mustache stickers. Sometimes, the tokens are as simple as pictures.
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“It brings some levity to the situation,” Smith said. “It’s a serious cause, but we’re having fun that day.”
She said it’s inspiring to see people walking and cheering on the sidelines. Asked what surprises people most about what it’s like to complete the marathon route, Smith said it was how far her team walks.
“I may not be the most athletic,” she said.“I can’t run a marathon. I can walk a marathon.”
The Jimmy Fund Walk has half-marathon, 10K and 5K routes, as well as a virtual walker program. The 26.2-mile route starts in Hopkinton and goes through Wellesley and Newton to reach Boston, ending at the Boston Common.
People are most impressed, she said, by the dedication team members have toward the event, and the training that goes into it. Smith herself starts training for the walk in May, starting with 6-mile walks and steadily increasing the miles each week until she hits 20.
As of Sept. 30, Smith has raised $652.20 out of her goal of $1,500. To donate, visit danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/suesmith2024.
To register for the walk, visit jimmyfundwalk.org or call 866-531-9255. Oct. 3 is the last day to register online; in-person registration is available the day of the walk. Starting locations are listed on the website.
Registered walkers will receive a bib, medal and T-shirt.
