Community Corner
Gilroy Resident Runs for Cancer Research
Gilroy resident Andrea Hensler will run Massachusetts' historic marathon route from Hopkinton to Boston with the goal of raising $4.8 million for cancer research
On April 16, Gilroy resident Andrea Hensler will run in the 116th Boston Marathon to help conquer cancer. She'll be running as a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team, created by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Dana-Farber is the top ranked cancer center in New England, according to U.S. News & World Report, an affiliate of the Harvard Medical School and is among the leading cancer research and care centers in the U.S.
Hensler, along with teammates from across the United States and world, will run Massachusetts’ historic marathon route from Hopkinton to Boston with the goal of raising $4.8 million for cancer research.
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A hundred percent of the funds raised will benefit the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research. The program funds basic research in its earliest stages and provides scientists with critical resources to test innovative ideas.
Findings can provide clinical insights and the foundation to seek additional federal funding support.
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Since its inception in 1990, the marathon challenge has raised more than $52 million for the Barr Program. Dana-Farber Trustees Delores Barr and Wayne Weaver founded the Barr Program in 1987 to honor Mrs. Weaver’s mother, Claudia Adams Barr, who lost her battle with cancer in 1957.
In 1990, Dana-Farber was among the first charity organizations to be recognized by the Boston Athletic Association. The marathon challenge offers members extensive fundraising support, training guidance from Jack Fultz, the 1976 Boston Marathon men’s champion, plus team training runs and volunteer opportunities for non-runners.
To participate, team members must meet one of the basic fundraising commitments:
Invitational runners—those who have received an entry from Dana Farber—have a basic fundraising commitment of $4,000. Runners who aren't time-qualified for the Boston Marathon receive an invitational entry into the race.
Own entry runners—runners who have joined the DFMC after obtaining their own race entry—have a basic fundraising commitment of $3,500.
Individuals who are interested in donating or supporting a runner can do so online at www.RunDFMC.org and at dfmc@dfci.harvard.edu or by calling (617) 632-1970.
