HERE'S THE STORY:

Pediatric Palliative Care is an interdisciplinary service that provides an additional layer of support for children and families when a child faces a serious disease. We focus on maximizing a child's quality of life, providing relief from pain, symptoms, and stress, smoothing transitions of care, coordinating communication and improving a family's experience of care. Our aim is to find a way forward together. 

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL wrote -

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). This is the first year the team consists of runners supporting the Pediatric Palliative Care Program.  All funds raised by our team will be directed to Pediatric Palliative Care whose mission is to offer treatment intended to optimize quality of life, promote healing, and provide comfort for children with life-threatening illness, as well as provide support for families whose children face serious, chronic or potentially terminal diseases.   

Patient-Partner Program

The MassGeneral Marathon Team is centered around the Marathon Patient-Partner Program, in which runners are paired with patients treated at MGHfC. When our runners set out on Boston’s grueling 26.2-mile course, they not only raise funds and awareness for Pediatric Palliative Care; 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. .

Learn More

Learn more about the causes we support and the Pediatric Palliative Care Program at MGHfC at the MassGeneral Hospital for Children web site.