My name is Chris Buliga, I will be running the 2012 Boston marathon this year for the Massachusetts General Hospital Pediatric Hematology-Oncology clinic.  This will be my first time running a marathon.  I do this to honour my son Nathan, who as most of you know by now has been battling Ewing's Sarcoma for come race day over two years.  He has fought brilliantly.

During the last two marathons, Nathan was partnered with Dr. Harmon,  a very awesome person and we are honoured to be able to call him a friend. He has be very kind to Nathan and is indeed a great person.  I hope I can do half as well as he.  He along with Nathan have inspired me to take on this challenge.

For those of you that know Nathan, you know that he is a caring and intelligent kid and also the most courageous person I know.  He is the true definition of a hero. I run to honor him. 

This will be the hardest thing I have ever attempted but it is a drop in the bucket compared to what these kids face each day. 

Please help me in this endeavour and help support  Dr. Weinstein and all the staff at the clinc. They all work extremely hard for every kid that walks through that door.   Anything you can do to help me reach my goal is extremely appreciated.   Please pass this on to your friends and family.   Thank you for your support and I hope to see all of you in the crowd at mile 20 cheering me and the rest of the team on.   If you don't want to do online donations you may also send me a check payable to MASS GENERAL HOSPITAL.  Let me know by email at chris_buliga@meei.harvard.edu  and I will send you the address to mail it to.

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.