This reflection was written by Samantha Sullivan, Associate Director of Programs and Community Engagement at TargetCancer Foundation
As Boston begins its sprint into springtime, we are preparing for a marathon of events over the next two months. On Monday, April 21, the twelve members of Team TargetCancer Foundation 2025 will line up in Hopkinton for the 129th Boston Marathon® presented by Bank of America, fulfilling a dream of running this iconic race. As the team manager, I could not be prouder. Over the past six months these runners have poured their hearts, souls, and many pairs of sneakers into preparing for this incredible challenge. Along the way, they have raised over $120,000, and as they enter race weekend, I have every confidence that they will eclipse their team goal of $125,000. The funds raised by the marathon team are immediately directed into our research, education, and advocacy programs. We are incredibly grateful to both our team members who give so much of their time and effort training, fundraising, and raising awareness, and those that have been supporting them throughout their journey.
Following the Marathon, we head to another Boston icon on May 2, for A Night to Strike Out Rare Cancer at historic Fenway Park. This special evening will celebrate our community and our work and will raise critical funds for our programs supporting rare cancer research, patients and caregivers, all while watching the Red Sox take on the Minnesota Twins!
On May 15, we will host the first event in our 2025 Lunch and Learn Webinar Series, The Power of Advocacy: Collective Strength Through the Rare Cancer Patient Voice. This webinar will provide firsthand experiences from rare cancer patients and advocates who are making a powerful impact on the field of rare cancer research. Additionally, the panelists will discuss the current federal research funding cuts, their consequences, and what you can do to help patients and researchers during this difficult time.
From May 30-June 2, TCF will head to Chicago to attend the American Society of Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. For the first time we will host a Patient Advocacy Booth, sharing TCF’s educational resources and information about our work with over 40,000 oncologists, patients, advocates, and industry partners that will be in attendance from around the world.
On June 5, two golfers from the TCF community will participate for the first time in the Golf Fights Cancer Golf Marathon. Our golfers will join 130 others at the Juniper Hill Golf Course in Northborough, MA to play 100 holes in one inspiring day to raise funds for TCF.
As we approach the starting line for this season of events, I am reminded daily and am so grateful for this incredible community that surrounds TCF. I look forward to seeing so many of our wonderful supporters throughout the next two months!