Why did I join the MGH marathon team to contribute to the fighting kid’s cancer… One Step at a Time! (http://www.massgeneral.org/marathon/)?

As everybody, I know friends and relative who are affected by cancer. Among them, my worst experience was about a young child. Nothing is worst than seeing a child suffering from such disease. At this time I was really affected to see such a young and innocent kid struggling against his disease. In addition to conceptual problems of seeing a kid developing cancer, I was really concerned by the lack of specific kid cancer center and doctors. I think our skills should be foccus on trying to improve the way we fight against children’s cancer. I think that, for sure, a lot has to be done to find a way to cure any cancer but I also consider that a lot needs to be done to help children and their families to live with these diseases and to try to cure them in appropriate centers.

Running for the Massachusetts General Hospital marathon team, will be for me a way to pay tribute to all the people I know that were or are affected by cancer. It is for me a way to actively contribute to the fight against kid’s cancer to support kids, families and the medical staff in their daily fight (http://www.massgeneral.org/children/services/treatmentprograms.aspx?id=1610).

My full Boston Marathon project is truly dedicated to people suffering from such disease, to their family and more personally to my aunt, my godfather, my best friend, my friends and their families.

How to support me in my Graal quest?

First you can follow my Boston marathon project on my blog http://atanne.blogspot.com/ it will be a way for you to know me better and also better understand my project.

Then you can help me to raise at least $5000.  $5,000 is a drop in the bucket but it's at least a drop. By helping me to raise at least $5000 on behalf of the MGH fight against cancer project, you are contributing to make kid’s and families’ life better. You will help medical staff and researchers to bring to those kids and families the life and future they deserve.

Any donations are welcome from $10 to $1000 or more. If your company can match your gift, I ask you to look into that opportunity. Share my links with friends, families and networks.

Finaly be a part of this human chain by diffusing my project around you , to your friends, family, colleagues.... The more the merrier.

Never forget that cancer can affect anybody in the world, it's our concern to contribute to fight it.

Please use my blog (http://atanne.blogspot.com/) to follow my preparation, the events with the kids, to share your experience and comments and join me and the other members of the Mass General Marathon team when we run on Monday, April 16, 2012.

 About the Marathon Team

Since 1998, with the partnership of John Hancock Financial, the Mass General Marathon Team has raised over $6.7 million to support the pediatric hematology-oncology program at MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC). Funds raised are directed to cancer care and research initiatives that enhance the quality of life for the hospital’s youngest cancer patients. Apply to run on the 2012 Mass General Marathon Team today!

Patient-Partner Program

The MassGeneral Marathon Team is centered around the Marathon Patient-Partner Program, in which runners are paired with patients undergoing cancer treatment at MGHfC. When our runners set out on Boston’s grueling 26.2-mile course, they not only raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer research; they inspire and bring hope to the youngest patients we serve.

Last year, 50 children undergoing treatment were paired with Mass General runners. Some runners take part to support young patients they already know and love while others bond with a courageous child they have never met through the Patient-Partner Program. At an emotional pre-race pasta party and ceremony on the night preceding the marathon, runners presented a medal of honor to their patient-partner. It symbolizes a shared personal commitment in the fight against pediatric cancer, and represents all the hope we have that our efforts at Mass General will lead to a cure for this devastating disease.

The Child-Life Program

The Child-Life Program within the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at MGHfC benefits every year from the funds raised by the Marathon Team. The program utilizes therapeutic play — including music and art therapy, massage and acupuncture — to help pediatric cancer patients and their families cope emotionally and developmentally with their illnesses. This year, more patients than ever before utilized Child-Life services, an indication of the growing popularity of the programming, the recognition of its importance and the program’s ability to continue to expand its offerings — thanks in large part to philanthropic dollars.

Learn More

Learn more about the causes we support and the pediatric hematology-oncology program at MGHfC at the MassGeneral Hospital for Children web site.