Groton Residents Participate in Jimmy Fund Walk
On Sunday, Sept. 8, Gino Polcaro, Amy Sturm and Dawn Priest from Groton will walk up to 26.2 miles along the historic Boston Marathon® route in the 25th anniversary of the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk. They will be among 8,500 walkers expected to participate with the collective goal of raising more than $7 million to support lifesaving adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund. The three met with me recently to share personal stories about why they walk.
Gino Polcaro, originally from Winthrop, his wife Karen and their children, Anthony and Julia, make their home in Groton. Anthony is five years old, plays U6 mites hockey and started kindergarten Thursday at Florence Roche Elementary.
"Julia was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when she was 18 months old and is the reason I walk. I hope that this article will raise more awareness about the disease," said Polcaro. "Karen is a fantastic mum. She will be walking as well and will meet me at mile 13."
Neuroblastoma is very rare, affecting approximately 650 children a year in this country, usually younger than five years old, with the majority of new cases occurring among those younger than one year old.
"We were fortunate that our pediatric doctor was familiar with the disease and able to diagnose our daughter so treatment could begin quickly," said Polcaro. "My knowledge regarding this disease is limited. I only know where we have been with her treatments and I know that every day with my daughter is a gift. It has given me a very different perspective on life," he maintained.
The idea for the Jimmy Fund Walk came about in the late 1980s when Mike Andrews, former Red Sox second baseman and chairman of the Jimmy Fund, and his wife, Marilyn, were taking a walk and mentioned how great it would be to host a walk as a benefit for the Jimmy Fund.
"I started participating in the Jimmy Fund Walk over five years ago," began Amy Sturm. "My cousin Lindsey had treatment at Dana Farber for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. She is now in remission and doing really well. However, I have other members of my family dealing with cancer and they will be on my mind as I walk towards Copley Square next week."
For Sturm, it is her fourth year walking the 26 miles. "I train two/three times a week on the rail trail. I wanted to help make a difference."
"This year, I am walking on Team Gavin," said Dawn Priest. Just after his first birthday, Gavin was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in June 2012 but a post on the family's Facebook Page, Hope4Gavin indicated he is in remission.
"I am thankful everyday for my children's good health although we have challenges. Cancer scares me because I can't protect my loved ones from this terrible disease. I want to help The Jimmy Fund find a cure and while I'm not a scientist, I can help by walking, raising money and helping to fund research." concluded Priest.
Participants walk choose from one of four routes: the entire 26.2-mile Hopkinton to Boston route, the 13.1-mile Babson to Boston route, the 5-mile Boston College route, or the 3-mile route from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to the Copley Square finish where walkers can celebrate completing the course and enjoy complimentary food, beverages, a speaking program.
Those unable to participate on event day can become "Virtual Walkers" and fundraise for the event that way.
All walkers must raise a minimum of $300, and walkers 12 years old and younger have a fundraising minimum of $100. If you are able and would like to make a donation to any/all walkers, their links are below.
Julia and Gino: http://www.jimmyfundwalk.org/2013/jujuscrew
http://www.jimmyfundwalk.org/2013/ginopolcaro;
Team page:http://www.jimmyfundwalk.org/2013/teamlindsygay
Dawn Priest: www.jimmyfundwalk.org/2013/dawnpriest
To register for the 2e Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, to support a walker, or to volunteer, visitwww.JimmyFundWalk.org or call (866) 531-9255. Registrants can enter the discount code NEWS for $5 off the registration fee.
