5/12/2024

Good morning/afternoon.

We hope you, your family & friends are doing well physically, mentally, and emotionally.

The 28^th running of the Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity has come and gone. Training started in December, and before we knew it, Marathon Monday was here. It was a great day for everything except running 26.2 miles, but we made it back and thanks to your amazing generosity we were able to donate $14,971.25! Thank you!

Your generosity and commitment to others in need is beyond words. Over the past 28 years, you have donated a total of $237,589.25! to help children and families dealing with cancer and childhood diseases. It’s not just your financial support that these families appreciate. It’s knowing that we, as a FAMILY, truly care about them. On behalf of all the children and families we run for, Thank You.

I’ve been fortunate for the past few years to train on Saturday mornings, with a large group of charity runners. They represent various groups from the Boston area, all with a mission to help others. Each year I meet new people and I enjoy hearing about why they are running and their charity. When they ask me about our effort, I begin with you, as it should be. ALL of YOU keep our effort going. YOU find it in YOU to donate YOUR money, open YOUR hearts to entrust us with the names of YOUR friends and loved ones for OUR jersey, and the notes YOU send and share with us are appreciated each year. I wish you could be there with me to see their reactions. They are in awe of what you have done for 28 years. They realize what I have known for years – just how special each of YOU truly are. And for that you have my deepest appreciation.

While I’m certain you know the impact your donations have been making, you may not know how powerful the names you send us have as well. Not only does each name pull me along 1 mile at a time, but very often they generate conversations with other runners and volunteers on Marathon Monday. It might be while I’m waiting to get on the bus in Boston, walking the mile to the start, or standing in the corrals waiting to start, people always ask me about the names on OUR jersey. When I explain why we do this, and the meaning associated with our jersey they often ask if they can take a picture of OUR jersey. Before saying yes, I ask them why they want the picture. One of the responses I got this year was “When I finally get to the Hills in Newton, I’m going to need something special to get me through them. YOUR jersey, with so many meaningful people and stories is exactly what I’ll need. My run today now has more meaning, I’m glad we got to meet”.

This is all about YOU and the kindness YOU share with us each year.

Every year is different, and this year was no exception and I’d like to share a number of experiences from this year with you:

We received a couple of letters we know were hard to write. These letters shared details of a loved one having been diagnosed with cancer. Others brought updates about their treatments, health, and prognosis. To all of OUR family members faced with this devasting disease please know we are always here to listen, talk, and help in anyway we can. We’ve built a caring and empathetic family in the past 28 years, lean on us, and don’t give it a second thought. After completing this year’s running one of our family members asked if we might know of support groups for post cancer treatment. We reached out to some of our family and within 2 hours we had 2 groups to share. That is what makes this family so special.

We continued to add to our family with the additions of my running buddy, Walter, and his family. Thanks to our son John and the Randolph Fire Department, we were able to have Walter and his family spend a Saturday morning touring the North Randolph Firehouse and ride in the engine truck. We are so appreciative of what these men and women did for Walter and do for our community every day and night. Watching Walter sitting in the driver’s seat of the Engine was priceless. I was fortunate to see Walter at Mile 13, and you can see him as well using the QR code below.

This year we were given the opportunity to tour Dana Faber and a research lab on the Saturday before the Marathon. What I will remember the most is seeing the exposed beams in one of the stairwells with the kids names on them. I’m sure you have seen the ads with the Iron workers painting their names, but to see them in person is something special. If we are given this opportunity next year, I will be reaching out to OUR family to ask if some of you would like to go on the tour. You more than deserve it.

Another notable difference this year was the absence on the course of Joe Rull. As we noted in the opening letter Joe has been deployed and is serving our Nation overseas. Marathon Monday, as I was sitting just above the area in the Boston Common that becomes a field of honor on Memorial Day weekend, I got a text message from Joe letting me know that WE had a large group overseas cheering US on. He went on to mention how he had told them about OUR family and why WE do this. No words can describe the feeling of receiving that message. The best I could do for Joe and company was to stop and send them pictures of some of the many American flags along the route. If you use the QR code below you will see them along with all the other pictures we have from this year. Thank you, Joe and all that have, are and will serve.

This Memorial Day weekend, we would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude to all those that gave their lives serving our Nation. Real heroes never die. They always live in our hearts to inspire us, motivate us, and guide us in our lives. There are no words to thank our national heroes for the sacrifices they have made for all of us. They gave so we can ALL share in the freedoms our country provides, ALL of us, not just some. Warm wishes on this Memorial Day to you and your families. If you have time during the Memorial Day weekend, I encourage you to visit the “Field of Flags” on Boston Common. It is a moving scene that will impact you instantly.

We’ve logged a lot of miles together the past 28 years and some of these miles have become of significance to us. Miles 9 & 11 are forever to remind us of our Military and First Responders. Mile 10 is where my family can be found usually 20+ strong. Mile 13 has become Walter’s mile. Mile 25 will always belong to Christopher. Mile 26 is in memory of all those impacted by the Marathon Bombings. And Mile 26.2 is to remind us of 3 amazing people that showed us how to live life the right way, thank you Mark, Kevin, and Joe.

In closing we simply want to say thank you for all you and your families do and not just for the support you give to our run. Your hearts are big and your compassion for others is incredible. Please keep being optimistic, involved people, doing what you do for others. It’s making this world a better place, one act of kindness at a time. While each year is different, our commitment, mission, and compassion remain the same. We would like to leave you a song that carries OUR wish for you, your family, friends, and all we run to support. Give it a listen when you have a chance, it will make your day so much better. Thank you again for all your support. We look forward to seeing you during the next 11 months as we prepare for the 29^th Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” run for Charity on April 21, 2025.

My Wish for You

My OUR wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to

Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small.

You never need to carry more than you can hold.

And while you’re out there getting where you’re getting to

I hope you know somebody loves you and wants the same things too.

Yeah, this, is my OUR wish.

Take care,

Donna and Mike

2023 Pictures

2023 Thank You letter:

Good morning/afternoon;

We hope you, your family & friends are doing well physically, mentally, and emotionally.

The 27^th running of the Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity exceeded all expectations. Thanks to your amazing generosity we were able to donate $14,238.50. Adding this to your previous donations your extreme generosity and commit to helping others has resulted in total donations over the past 27 years exceeding:

$222,618.00!

You are all simply amazing. When I have the opportunity to talk to people or groups about OUR effort I start and end by describing how YOU are the heart and soul of what we do, without your support, empathy, and generosity our effort would have collapsed before it ever began. It’s not about me or what I want, this is about YOU and what YOU demand; a community that is not willing to let the problem be solved by others. YOU make a conscious decision each year to get involved, donating your hard-earned money, sharing your heart felt stories, and allowing us to honor those special people from your life. I’m just the vehicle that has the privilege to “drive” 26.2 miles and deliver your message to over 1M people along the way to Boston the 3^rd Monday in April for 27 years. Thank you for allowing us to do this.

Each year of our journey is different, no two are alike. 2023 for me will always be the year we marked the 10^th anniversary of the worst day in marathon history, and Mile 25 – Christopher.

While everything we do and commit to is positive and designed to help so many, since the finish of the 2013 marathon it’s been difficult to accept this at times. I don’t mean anything negative about what we are doing and donating to. As I said above YOU are truly amazing, and we appreciate YOU and everything YOU do. The struggle is knowing that the bombings and aftermath of 2013 killed 5 people, left at least 17 people with lost limbs, and hundreds injured. Countless families have been impacted forever. All of this happened in our city, at our marathon. Each year we as a community have taken the next step forward, our effort included, but it comes at a price. As we look forward to each Boston Marathon, others must remember a very painful and solemn event. This year was no exception. It was 10 years since that horrific day. I love what WE are doing and when WE cross the finish line in Boston, I know WE have done something positive for those in need. However, I’m also mindful that while WE are celebrating OUR accomplishment there are families hurting every Marathon Monday. The truth is, I feel a certain amount of guilt knowing the Boston Marathon, while not the cause of the tragedy does represent so much pain and loss for each of those families. Is it proper for us to use the Boston Marathon as the platform for what we do? We have given this much thought and consideration and in 2014 we did decide to keep going but it had to be for all the right reasons. These mixed emotions still exist but there is a real meaning for “why” we do this each year. DFMC, Mile 25, Christopher were part of our why this year.

“Why”, a simple three letter word. As kids/teenagers we used this word often, maybe too often. “Why do I have to do this… why can’t I do that… “. Why we do what we do and whom we do it for has to have meaning to balance Marathon Mondays. As we wrote in our letter in March, this year we began running for the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge. Why? DFMC offered us the opportunity to continue our mission to help kids and families with cancer. Part of the DFMC is their In-Memory Program, through which team members run in memory of young patients who are forever in our hearts.

I introduced you to Christopher in our opening letter. We had decided to run for DFMC before we learned the painful news of Christopher’s passing away from cancer. When I learned of the In-Memory Program I reached out to Christopher’s mom, dad, and his best friend Joe. I asked if they would like to attend the In-Memory dinner, and they graciously accepted the invitation. The courage it took for Christopher’s family, his best friend, Joe, and all the families in attendance to be there is something I will never forget. I can’t remember exactly what we were talking about on our way home, but I do remember how the evening ended. As Christopher’s mom and dad were saying goodnight, they gave me a box. Inside the box was an ornament, inside the ornament was a feather. Attached to the ornament was a card with Christopher’s picture and the following poem:

A feather from an Angel,

Is one we rarely see.

But this one is quite different,

And as special as can be.

This feather is a reminder,

Of a special person’s love….

Who is now your Guardian Angel,

Watching & protecting from above.

This ornament now hangs on a picture that has been on my desk for years. The picture shows a sister helping her brother during his cancer treatment. Both will remind me of the “why” forever.

The night before the marathon Christopher’s mom, dad, and his niece joined us for dinner. It was a great time, highlighted by his niece for sure. As the evening was winding down, we made plans to meet at Mile 25, Christopher’s mile. On Monday I only had one thought in mind, get to mile 25. The “drive” to Boston was great. I was able to stop and see some of you along the way. Thanks to all that stayed through the rain! As I came to Mile 25 in Kenmore Square I pulled up and started looking for Christopher’s parents. I couldn’t find them, I thought I had missed them, so I called them. Lucky his dad picked-up and told me they were, 5 feet from me! Mile 25, Christopher’s Mile. The “why”. We talked, hugged, cried, and talked about how Christopher was now a guardian angel for me and our efforts. Four things I will always remember: How thankful I was that they shared Christopher with us, not just for the marathon, but all of his life. That I wished all of you could have been there. That Mile 25 will always be Christopher’s Mile, and last, the sign they made thanking me/us. A young Boston Police Officer was standing next to me while I tried to get myself back together to finish the last 1.2 miles. He said to me, “Let’s go Mike”, the first thing I thought was am I getting in the way of everyone running? I apologized and he said to me “no, take your time, I was encouraging you to finish.”. I asked how he knew my name and he told me he had been talking with Christopher’s parents. They told their story and why we are doing this. He was so happy that they shared this with him, he is planning to run next year for DFMC.

As I finally got things going, I came down Boylston Street looking for Donna. I found her, between the two memorials for the bombing victims, but there were two barriers, one on the sidewalk and one about 10 feet out in the street. I jokingly commented about the distance between us. A Boston Police Officer was standing there and kindly opened the street barrier for me so I could get over to Donna. We talked for a bit, I thanked the officer and headed toward the finish with all our guardian angels leading the way. Mark, Kevin, Joe, and Christopher. When I met up with Donna later, she mentioned to me, that across Boylston Street from where she was standing a person had a sign that read “REMEMBER THE WHY!”.

Usually, we don’t talk much about the run in our thank you, but this year was different. We wanted to share as much of the experience as possible with you. Thank you again for all your support. We hope our sharing of the run brings you even closer to our effort.

We have some time before our 28^th running in April 2024. Between now and then we hope to see all of you. When we catch up not only will we thank you again, but we will also be asking for your signature. After running this year John, Rebecca and my Granddaughter Layla gave me his training Firefighter helmet. The helmet is decorated with many symbols and reminders of OUR why. We want you to add your signature to the inside of the helmet as another way of connecting all of us involved in this mission. You can get a sneak preview of the helmet by scanning the QR code below which will show you all the pictures from this year’s effort.

This Memorial Day weekend, we would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude to all those that gave their lives serving our Nation. Real heroes never die. They always live in our hearts to inspire us, motivate us, and guide us in our lives. There are no words to thank our national heroes for the sacrifices they have made for all of us. They gave so we can ALL share in the freedoms our country provides, ALL of us, not just some. Warm wishes on this Memorial Day to you and your families. If you have time during the Memorial Day weekend, I encourage you to visit the “Field of Flags” on Boston Common. It is a moving scene that will impact you instantly.

Take care,

Donna and Mike

Opening Letter:

Good afternoon, March 12, 2023

Donna, and I hope you, your family and friends are well, and remaining healthy. Another year has come and gone and in just a few weeks we will be running the 27^th edition of the Boston Marathon “Hell of and Amen” run for Charity. Believe me when I tell you that none of this would be possible without your constant support and encouragement. We know how lucky we are to have you as part of everything we do on the 3^rd Monday in April each year. Thank you for all you have done the past 26 years for those in need.

As a group we have lived through serious valleys, not knowing if or how we would emerge. Together we found ways to lift each other up, comforted those in need, and showed the world that caring for others is our responsibility. We have also experienced many peaks and we hope that one of these peaks is the incredible empathy and generosity you have shown to so many in need through our marathon effort. Your donations have totaled over $208,300.00! Your funds have always been used right here in the greater Boston area and we have never taken you for granted. You work hard. You support other charities. You have your own obligations and yet, each year, you have found it in your heart to support our effort, Donna and I can never thank you enough.

Last year, as we were winding down our efforts, we learned that Tufts Medical Center would be shutting down the Floating Hospital for Children and ending all pediatric oncology care. This wasn’t welcome news for any of us. We began our effort 26 years ago to help kids and families with cancer and early childhood disease. This move by Tufts had us seeking a new charity to support. After many long discussions we reached out to Dana-Farber and asked if we might be able to run with them. We are happy to announce that this year we will be running as part of the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge. We’re sure most of you are aware of the great work being done by Dana-Farber and now we have the opportunity to be a part of this life saving effort, again here in our own city.

For us, as a society, to rid the world of cancer and all the suffering it causes, we need to go beyond the paradigm of diagnose, treat, and hopefully cure our family and friends. We need to find ways to prevent all forms of cancer from beginning, period. It’s a big ask but one Dana-Farber works each day to complete. For us to achieve this goal we not only have to dream big, but we also have to deliver on this dream. We need to go from imaging a day when we no longer need to tell a mom or dad that their child has cancer, to THE DAY when no child or family has to hear these painful words. With your help we can make this day a reality for everyone.

If you would like to support our run, and are able to donate, we have two methods you can use to make your donation:

Our Donation Page:

Or you can make your check payable to “Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge” and mail it directly back to us.

All donations are 100% tax deductible and 100% (yes 100%) of your donation will be used in to support the effort of the Claudia Adams Barr program at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. If your company has a matching donation program, please let me know, so I can provide you with the information to support your donation.

Thank you in advance for considering our effort and your support.

In the opening of this letter, we mentioned the valleys we have experienced together the past 27 years. One of the hardest days occurred 10 years ago on Marathon Monday. It will be a day, time, and experience I will never forget. 10 years ago, we lived the senseless hate of two bombs exploding near the finish of the marathon. The loss of life, the needless suffering, and the hatred brought upon so many was and still is incomprehensible. What started as beautiful day, quickly turned into a dark and painfilled day that forever changed the lives of so many. This year, if you would please, on Marathon Monday, take a moment to reflect not only on the pain of that day but also remember how many of the victims and their families showed us how to face a life altering challenge with love and compassion for others. On April 15^th, 2013, Mile 26.2 no longer was the finish line for us, it became the starting point of the healing process.

This past Thanksgiving, we experienced another valley when we had to say goodbye to one of our greatest inspirations. 25-year-old Christopher was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 7. I first met Christopher and his family as part of our town youth baseball and soccer programs almost 20 years ago. Christopher was always smiling and enjoying his life regardless of the challenges he faced each day. Christopher showed me how to live life to its fullest. Just as I will remember the tragedy of the 2013 Marathon, I will always remember sharing a drink, of water, with Christopher at Mile 25. Here I was, 1.2 miles away from finishing the marathon and all I can think of is that this “kid” with the weight of the world on his shoulders, is handing out water to thousands of runners at Mile 25. My respect and admiration for Christopher only grew from that point.

Christopher loved hockey and the quote below while given to us by another hockey player, Travis Roy, speaks exactly to how Christopher lived his life:

Sometimes, we choose our challenges and dreams, and if we’re really lucky, we can reach them. But there are other times in life when the challenges simply choose us, and it’s what we do in the face of the challenges that defines who we are. More often than not, the challenges choose you. But from sports and my teachers, I learned to never give up, no matter how bad things went. You always have to have the desire to get back up.” Travis Roy

Mile 25 will forever be Christopher’s mile; Christopher was a patient at Dana-Farber.

This year with your support we will be make our donation to Dana-Farber in Christopher’s name. This does not mean we have forgotten the losses of State Trooper Mark Charbonnier on September 2, 1994, Boston Firefighter Lt. Kevin Kelley on January 09, 2009, and Watertown Firefighter Joe Toscano on March 17, 2017. They will always be part of our effort. Each of these men gave selflessly losing their life in the line of duty to ensure that not only their family and friends would live safely but all of society would as well. We remember them not simply for the sacrifices they made but for how they lived their lives.

Our jersey is so significant to our effort. The names you share with us are extremely important to us. We know they represent your family, friends and loved ones. We place each name on a mile out of respect, remembrance, and honor. It’s hard to put into words how grateful we are that you allow us to do this each year. Our hope in doing this each year is to let everyone know that they are not alone, not forgotten and always respected. Please keep sending us your names, you can’t image the inspiration they deliver on the 3^rd Monday in April.

There is little doubt that this year’s effort is going to be a challenge. Running on the 10^th anniversary of the bombings and running for the first time since saying goodbye to Christopher will make things harder than years past. The Boston Marathon will be on Monday April 17th. If you’re planning on being out on the route, PLEASE let me know so I can stop and say “Hi” and “Thank You” in person for your support. If you’re looking for a spot to watch from, consider Mile 25.

We branded our effort after the song “Hell of an Amen” for a reason. It was and still is inspired by so many that have faced the challenge head on and showed us how to live a better life in an imperfect world. The QR code below will bring you to the song, allow yourself to take a few minutes to listen and reflect on the meaning of our effort through its words and images.

Brantley Gilbert – One Hell Of An Amen – Bing video

Thank You, take care.

Mike and Donna

Thank You for an amazing 2022 Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen Run for Charity”

Flag Garden Boston Common you have to see this in person

5/20/2022

Good morning/afternoon!

We hope you and your entire family are healthy and doing well physically, mentally, and emotionally.

After 2 years of running virtually or under strict guidance we had the opportunity to run the 2022 Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity, live and as we had the first 23 times. It was a gift to be back in Hopkinton with 26,000 other runners and countless spectators. It was a great day for everyone. Welcome back.

When we started our effort 26 marathons ago, we were not sure where we were going, how to get there, or who would join us on our mission. However, we did know two things. First was if we were going to do something positive, we had to be optimistic. Quoting from “Life is Good The Book” (great read if you have the time), “Optimism is not just a philosophical viewpoint. It’s not irrational cheerfulness, and it’s not blind positivity. Optimism is a powerful and pragmatic strategy for accomplishing goals and living a fulfilling life. By acknowledging obstacles and opportunities-but focusing on the opportunities-optimism enables us to explore the world with open arms and an eye toward solutions, progress, and growth.” The second thing we knew was if we were going to be successful the people that would join us would not only be optimists but people that would want to do more than just talk or acknowledge an issue exists, they would be the type of person that would want to do something and get involved. You are receiving this letter today because YOU are an optimist that wanted to get involved and we can never thank you enough.

We began our 26^th effort with training runs in December. At that time, we were looking forward to doing our part to help families here is Boston finding themselves facing the unthinkable situation of their child being diagnosed with cancer or an early childhood disease. Then, on 20 February 2022 the Ukrainian people were invaded, and life changed again. As Donna and I watched the reporting and saw the impact this aggression was having on the children of the Ukraine, we began to talk about how we could do something to help. Enter the Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity. In many ways we felt like we were back at year 1 of our effort: where are were going, how will we get there, who will join us, is this something we should do? What was different this time was we knew we had a group of optimists that were always willing to get involved: YOU.

Through your endless support, and generosity we raised $8,243.00 from individual donations. Thanks to some of your generous companies we were able to raise an additional $2,312.00 for a combine donation to Tufts in the amount of $10,555.00! Thank you so much for making this happen. As a result of YOUR extreme generosity, we matched the first $5,200.00, in fact some of you sent us separate donations to add to the match. In total we donated $5,325.00 to Sunflower of Peace and World Central Kitchen ( if you have access to Disney+ you can see a great documentary about World Central Kitchen on May 27th “We Feed the People” see what your donation is doing for others https://wck.org/wefeedpeople) to help and support the women and children of the Ukraine. YOU amazingly optimistic, involved people are responsible for collectively donating $203,055.00 to help our families in need in the Boston area and another $5,325.00 to help children in the Ukraine. YOU have amazingly donated over $208,380.00 the past 26 years!

Please, please, take a few minutes and let this settle in. You must let yourself feel a sense of pride/accomplishment/happiness. YOU have and are making a significant difference in our world. YOU did this, YOU deserve to feel good. Embrace it!

We are not a large group; we are not millionaires or social media influencers. WE are people that care about others that are not willing to pass the big problems along for someone else to resolve. For 26 years I have told anyone that asks that WE have THE BEST Boston Marathon charity group. Now it’s time for me to start telling them we have the best charity group in the world.

We are constantly encouraged and motivated by these remarkable kids here in Boston, and this year we were driven by a new group of kids in the Ukraine. Both groups smile through their pain, shed their tears in the darkness of night. These kids do so much to make everyone feel good. We haven’t given up on them and we won’t. While I look forward to the year I can write and tell you that our mission is complete, this is not that year. On the 3^rd Monday in April 2023, we will be back at the start doing what we do for all these kids and their families.

Our donation to Tufts was made in the name of Mark Charbonnier, Kevin Kelley, and Joe Toscano. Three great men that showed us how to live life, serve others, put the needs of the weak, strangers and suffering ahead of our own every day. The donations to support those in the Ukraine were made on the behalf of the 2022 Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity which includes all of you, everyone on our jersey as well as Mark, Kevin, and Joe.

Before closing we would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude to all those that gave their lives serving our Nation. Real heroes never die. They always live in our hearts to inspire us, motivate us, and guide us in our lives. There are no words to thank our national heroes for the sacrifices they have made for all of us. They gave so we can ALL share in the freedoms our country provides, ALL of us, not just some. Warm wishes on this Memorial Day to you and your families. If you have time during the Memorial Day Weekend, I encourage you to visit the “Field of Flags” on Boston Common. It is a moving scene that will impact you instantly. I have placed pictures on our web site if you are unable to visit in person.

Take care,

Donna and Mike

Welcome to the 2022 Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity

Good afternoon March 17, 2022

Donna, and I hope you, your family and friends are well, and remaining healthy. We seem to be moving forward and getting back to doing many of the things we used to do, among them, running the Boston Marathon on the 3^rd Monday in April. Last October We were fortunate to have been able to run our 25^th Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity and, in 4 weeks, WE will run our 26^th.

Together WE have run a ton of miles, experienced many peaks and valleys, personally, and as a society. We have been on this journey together, WE have shared many smiles, tears, frustrations, and pain. We celebrated when the news was good, and when times were hard, WE came togetherto give support for each another. Whether it was your best or worst days, you found it in your heart to help the children and their families facing cancer and early childhood diseases. You have been nothing short of remarkable. Your empathy and generosity has resulted in donations totaling over $192,500.00! Your funds have always been used right here in the greater Boston area and we have never taken you for granted. You work hard. You support other charities. You have your own obligations and yet, each year, you have found it in your heart to support Our effort. Thank You.

This year, as we have for the past four years, we are running to support Tufts Children’s Hospital and Tufts Medical Center. Cancer and early childhood diseases, as many of you know and understand all to well, go beyond the patient. These are family diseases that impact many of our friends and relatives. The caregivers at Tufts never stop putting their patients first. They know this is a very difficult time for the children, parents, and families. They understand that through their dedicated efforts they not only provide medical assistance, but they also give the moms and dads of these incredible children hope. This is why WE do what WE do. This is the impact your support and donations have. You make hope possible – thank you.

If you would like to support our run, and are able to donate, we have three methods you can use to make your donation:

You can scan this QR code which will bring you directly to our online donation site

Michael ONeill is raising money for Tufts Medical Center | GivenGain

Or you can make your check payable to “Tufts Medical Center” and mail it directly to us.

All donations are 100% tax deductible. If your company has a matching donation program, please let me know, so I can provide you with the information to possibly double your donation.

Thank you in advance for considering our effort and your support.

“The value of life is not based on how long we live, but how much we contribute to others in our society.”

Truer words could not be spoken of Mark, Kevin, and Joe. The tragic losses of State Trooper Mark Charbonnier on September 2, 1994, Boston Firefighter Lt. Kevin Kelley on January 09, 2009, and Watertown Firefighter Joe Toscano on March 17, 2017, will always be remembered as part of our effort. Each of these men gave selflessly losing their life in the line of duty to ensure that not only their family and friends would live safely but all of society would as well. We remember them not simply for the sacrifices they made but how they lived their lives.

It was our hope as we began to write this letter, that we would be able to focus on the positives in our world. The recent events in Ukraine made this impossible. It’s difficult to watch the news and hear the stories regarding this unimaginable tragedy. On a basic human level, everything happening to the Ukraine people is disheartening. The fear, suffering, and loss of life is unacceptable. The images and stories about the children hurt the most. Families having to separate. Dad’s saying goodbye to their children, never knowing if they will see them again is hard to take. I can’t stop thinking about the children with cancer living in the Ukraine. We understand from our own families, friends, and our run the hard times children with cancer or early childhood disease face daily. This is why we have supported The Neely House, Step One, Cops for Kids with Cancer, and Tufts Floating Hospital for Children for 25 years.

Imagine, if you can, your child is enduring treatments for cancer and a major armed conflict breaks out in your neighborhood. The level of uncertainty and fear you would have, not only for your child’s treatment, but their safety, is unimaginable, but this is a reality today for these families living in the Ukraine. You take your child to the hospital for treatment, and it is bombed. You are forced to run, uncertain where to go. Can you make it to safety? Will the new environment have the services your child needs? Is it going to be clean enough to avoid infections or other disease that may take your child’s life due to their severely compromised immune system? Will it have the medications your child depends on to live? As bad as all this is, what about the children in this conflict, fighting cancer that will become orphans? None of this is acceptable to any of us.

The families and children in the Ukraine are no different than those we help here at Tufts with two exceptions. The children in the Ukraine are in the middle of an armed conflict, and they don’t have you to give them hope, yet.

We are so thankful for your support and donations for the kids at Tufts. Our appreciation of your generosity and OUR collective desire to help the kids in the Ukraine brought Donna and I to do more than just talk about it. This year the Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity is going to be doubly impactful. For each individual donation made by you, to support our kids at Tufts, Donna and I will make matching donations, up to $5,200.00, to Sunflower of Peace ($2,600.00) and World Central Kitchen ($2,600.00) to support OUR kids in the Ukraine. By doing this WE will be giving the gift of hope, and life to our friends and family here in Boston and the Ukraine. The matching donations will be given in the name the “2022 Boston Marathon Hell of an Amen Run for Charity”, — all of you and your families!

As you are all aware, our jersey has become a significant part of our effort. What started out as a simple handwritten platform, has transformed into an important part of our preparation for each run. The names you share with us are the most important part of our jersey. We know they represent your family, friends and loved ones. We place each name on a mile out of respect, remembrance, and honor. It’s hard to put into words how grateful we are that you allow us to do this each year. Every mile means so much when I read the dedicated names. Our hope during that mile is to let everyone know that they are not alone, not forgotten and always respected. Please keep sending us your names, you can’t image the inspiration they deliver on the 3^rd Monday in April. This year, we will be adding the children of the Ukraine to our jersey as well.

The Boston Marathon will be on Monday April 18th. If you’re planning on being out on the route, PLEASE let me know so I can stop and say “Hi” and Thank You in person for your support.

In closing, we have endured a lot the last 24+ months but we have not forgotten, as a group, that what matters most is our family and friends. If you are having a hard time, please reach out and let them carry you for a while. They know you would do the same. Below is a QR code to a song and video that seems to capture the collective thoughts of many of us. I hope you have 3 minutes to listen and watch it. The song “You’ll Be in my Heart”, will not only be on our playlist this year, but it in my heart as we run for all the children here and in the Ukraine.

YOU’LL BE IN MY HEART FROM DISNEY’S TARZAN – LIVE COVER BY 4-YEAR-OLD CLAIRE RYANN AND DAD – YouTube

Thank You, take care

Mike and Donna

October 11, 2021Boston Marathon

THANK YOU!!!!

11/7/2021

Good morning/afternoon!

We hope you and your entire family are healthy and doing well physically, mentally, and emotionally.

We would like to begin our thank you letter this year differently than we have in the past, by extending our sincere appreciation, and thanks to our Veterans. Their service, sacrifice, and commitment, ensures that we can place our heads, each night, on our pillows, and sleep in peace. We also want to send our thanks and deep appreciation to the families of our service women and men. These families face the same issues as all families do, sometimes during deployments. Cancer and early childhood diseases don’t care who you are or that you are thousands of miles away from your hurting child. These families are need and deserve our support. I had the privilege of running in the 2021 DAV Road Race at Castle Island on November 6. It was such an honor to be among and support so many heroes. Their simple ask of us is to respect each other, and to remember they gave so we can ALL share in the freedoms our country provides, ALL of us, not just some.

It took a while, but we finally had the opportunity to run the 2021 Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity. This marathon was unlike most of the previous ones with two exceptions. It was still 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston and you, once more, went above and beyond all expectations. You are such an amazing group of people, and families, which we appreciate each day, not just on Marathon Monday.

Despite a pandemic, your own health, and economic uncertainties you found it in your heart to support our effort for a 25^th year. Your commitment to help the families and patients at Tufts Floating Hospital for Children, even in these unprecedented times, resulted in a collective donation over 12,500.00. Your incredible support and willingness to help others over the past 25 years has resulted in donations totaling over $192,500.00 for patients and families in our community in their time of need. THANK YOU!!!

Most of you have been with us, literally, every step of the way. From our first venture back in 1997 to our most recent effort; your hearts have been with the families in need. Much has changed over these 25 years. Your support for those dealing with cancer and childhood disease has as well, it has grown stronger, and we are very thankful for that.

Our effort has, and always will be about two things: those we help, and all of you. While I may be the vehicle we take out for a ride, each Marathon Monday, you are the drivers, not just passengers. Your support gets us to Hopkinton each year. The names you send, and the stories you share with us, are the fuel that helps us cross the finish line, 26.2 miles later, in Boston. We can’t say it enough: without you, and your incredible support we never would have gotten to Hopkinton in 1997, period. If you would, please allow yourself to accept this as a fact and everything good that comes with it. Due to your extreme generosity and kindness, there are many families that benefit daily. It may be as simple as paying for a day of parking or a meal from the hospital cafeteria. It could be allowing a family of a sick child to seek a new experimental treatment. Or maybe, just maybe, your donation is the dollar that finds the cure for all cancers and early childhood diseases. You have been making a significant difference here, in the Boston area, for 25 years! The bond you have with those we support is not invisible, or a dotted line, it’s direct. You share in their hopes, and belief that someday, soon, there will be cures for these diseases. Why else would you donate each year, we can’t stop believing in them or the good our effort brings.

For 25 years WE have been THE BEST Boston Marathon charity group. While not always easy, when compared to the children and families we do this for, it has been a walk in the park. We are constantly encouraged and motivated by these remarkable kids. They smile through the pain, so others will not feel bad. They cry softly at night into their pillows, so their parents will not hear them and get upset. These unbelievable kids do so much to make everyone feel good. We cannot give up on them or let them feel they are alone. I would love nothing better than to be writing to tell you we are done, that our mission is complete and cancer and early childhood disease has been defeated. It hasn’t stopped yet, so on April 18, 2022, we will be back in Hopkinton to continue the journey we started in 1997.

The 25^th running was supposed to conclude with a family party, ALL, of our families coming together to celebrate. Donna and I began talking about this a couple of years ago. We wanted to do more than simply send a letter of thanks. We wanted to have all our families get together, in person, to celebrate the incredible journey we have been on together, you certainly have earned it. However, as we got closer to the Marathon, we decided to postpone things until May of 2022, after the 26^th running of the 2022 Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity. We felt that many would not feel comfortable being exclusively indoors and with the Holidays approaching we did not want anyone getting sick. We want this to be a real family celebration and we hope you and your families will join us after we run 26miles for the 26^th time.

Our donation was again made in the name of Mark Charbonnier, Kevin Kelley, and Joe Toscano. Three great men that showed us how to live life, serve others, put the needs of the weak, strangers and suffering ahead of our own every day.

From our entire family we want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving, and a peaceful and joyous Holiday season with your family and friends.

Take care, Donna and Mike

2021 Boston Marathon, number pick-up, Hopkinton start, Tufts Finish and our jersey

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Good afternoon, September 6, 2021

We sincerely hope you, your family and friends are well, and remaining healthy. It’s been a difficult 18 months and we’ve certainly experienced some hard times. Hopefully, during these periods, you did not feel alone and were able to reach out to your family and friends. Sometimes, just having someone to listen can turn the tide. Your mental health is important – you don’t have to carry the burden alone.

For the past 24 years we’ve sent this letter out at the end of the winter. Spring is usually right around the corner, but this year, while we are working to a new schedule, our mission has not changed. In 5 weeks, WE will be running the 25^th version of the Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity.

This has been an amazing road WE have traveled together; over 36,000 miles of running, more than 1.5 times around the world. The past 24 years WE shared our smiles and laughter when the news was good. WE came togetherduring the hard times, not to show support, but to give support for one another. You have embraced this effort and made it your own. YOUR commitment to help children and their families facing cancer and early childhood disease has been remarkable. Your empathy, and generosity has resulted in donations totaling over $180,000.00. YOUR contributions have always been used right here in the greater Boston area. We have never taken you for granted. You work hard. You support other charities. You have your own obligations and yet, each year, you have found it in your heart to support Our effort. Thank You.

This year, as we have for the past several years, we are running to support Tufts Children’s Hospital and Tufts Medical Center. Cancer and early childhood diseases, as many of you know and understand all to well, go beyond the patient. These are family diseases that impact many of our friends and relatives. The past 18 months have only compounded the nightmare for these families and children. COVID impacted clinical visits, checkups, drug supplies and clinical trials. Nurses, clinicians, doctors, and surgeons have been stretched beyond thin. Parents have lost jobs, making finances difficult and, in some cases, insurance nonexistent. The long-term effects of this virus to children with cancer and early childhood disease may never be fully understood. But two things I can say with a great certainty are that the caregivers at Tufts never stopped putting their patients first, and the moms and dads of these incredible children never lost hope.

Often the words strong and brave are used when talking about the children dealing with these diseases. It’s hard not to see these characteristics in them, but these are kids, and they see the world differently than adults. They want to be playing with their friends. They want to be sleeping in their own bed and they want to feel the comfort of their family especially when they don’t feel well. When I think about the children facing these unforgiving diseases the word that comes to mind these days is scared. During my runs I think about the kids we support, what they might have to endure during the time I’m running, what their day might hold and what the week ahead could involve. I used to think about this as an adult – how I see things, feel things, understand things. That changed a of couple years ago as I was running home through Boston. I had to stop at a light near Tufts Children’s Hospital. The light was long, and I was waiting with a group to cross the street. My headphones were acting up and I had taken them off to try and see what was wrong. While I was busy dealing with my “issue”, I overheard a mom talking to her daughter. They were talking about the girl’s older brother. The mom was trying to explain to her daughter how scared he was that day – how he didn’t want his treatment. The young girl kept saying how strong he was, that he was her brave big brother, nothing could hurt him, that he always looked out for her. The light changed and I didn’t move, I stood there and watched as the mother and daughter began to walk up Washington Street to the hospital entrance. The lasting image I have of them are the tears on their cheeks. What started out as an annoying light I had to stop for during my run turned into a moment in time that has impacted me for the rest of my life. What they would never see were the tears on my face as I started to run. The whole way home all I could think about was how scared that boy must have been. At some point during each run since, I can’t help but think of the fear and how scared these children must be. It’s not right. It’s unacceptable and it certainly is not fair. Kids need to be kids, not patients.

If you would like to support our run, and are able to donate, we have three methods you can use:

You can click on the link below which will bring you directly to our online donation site

Michael ONeill is raising money for Tufts Medical Center | GivenGain

Or you can make your check payable to “Tufts Medical Center” and mail them directly to us.

All donations are 100% tax deductible. If your company has a matching donation program, please let me know, so I can provide you with the information to possibly double your donation.

Our jersey has become a significant part of our effort. What started out as a simple handwritten platform, has transformed into an important part of our preparation. One of my favorite movies is “Miracle”, the story of the 1980 USA Olympic Hockey team. There is one line from this movie that certainly applies to our jersey.

“When you pull on that jersey, the name on the front is a hell of a lot more important than the name on the back.”

The most important part of our jersey are the names on the front. They represent your family, friends and loved ones. This act of honor, respect and remembrance is the least we can do to show how much we care about those effected in your lives. I can’t put into words how grateful I am that you allow us to do this each year. Each mile means so much when I read the dedicated names. Our hope during that mile is to let everyone know that they are not alone, not forgotten and always respected. Please send us your names. We will make room for everyone.

It’s hard to imagine that our effort which works to impact those in need, in a positive way, began with the tragic loss, of State Trooper Mark Charbonnier on September 2, 1994. Over the past 24 years we have also endured the loss of other friends and family who lost their lives while serving and protecting us. On January 9, 2009, Lt. Kevin Kelley gave his life while serving the people of Boston as a Firefighter and on March 17, 2017, Watertown Firefighter Joe Toscano lost his life during a fire. Let’s not only remember who the real heroes are, what they truly sacrifice and the price they and their families pay to keep us safe, but also how they lived their lives for others. Our donation this year will again be made in remembrance and honor of Mark, Kevin, and Joe.

At this time the Boston Marathon is planned to run the usual route on Monday October 11. If you’re planning on being out on the route, PLEASE let me know so I can stop and say “Hi”. I don’t run for time, we run to give hope to those in need. However, there is the real possibility that we will once again be running a virtual route. If this is the case, we have a planned 26.2 mile route that we will share on our website and Facebook. Also, on these platforms we will be doing a “25 Day” countdown. Each day we will post about a previous marathon, starting with year one, 1997.

25 years has gone quickly but what hasn’t changed is the need to help others. Thank you for your continued support. It’s amazing what we have been able to accomplish but we have more to do. With your help and continued support we will see the day when these childhood diseases, will not harm another child.

In closing, we’d like to leave you with a verse from song a by Luke Combs, which ties back to that day at the traffic light: “Even Though I’m Leaving”: The QR code below will bring you to the song so you an listen to it.

Daddy, I’m afraid, won’t you stay a little while?, Keep me safe ’cause there’s monsters right outside
Daddy, please don’t go, I don’t wanna be alone,’Cause the second that you’re gone they’re gonna know
Before he went to bed he grabbed my hand and said, Just ’cause I’m leavin’ It don’t mean that I won’t be rightby your side When you need me And you can’t see me in the middle of the night Just close your eyes and say a prayer It’s okay, I know you’re scared when I’m not here, But I’ll always be right there
Even though I’m leavin’, I ain’t goin’ nowhere

Luke Combs – Even Though I’m Leaving (Official Video) – Bing video

Thank You, take care

Mike and Donna

Web: www.dorchesterbiomedical.com/

Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/michael.oneill .77582

September 13, 2020 Boston Marathon Virtual Run

THANK YOU!!!!

Good afternoon, we hope you and your family are healthy and doing well physically, mentally, and emotionally.

The running of the 2020 Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity took until September to complete this year. We had to be patient, respectful of the health advisories and understanding that there are more important things in life than running 26.2 miles.

Your commitment to help the families and patients at Tufts Floating Hospital for Children, even in these unprecedented times, resulted in a collective donation of $9,603.00. Your incredible support and willingness to help others over the past 24 years has provided almost $180,000.00 for patients and families in our community in their time of need. Thank you.

Your financial support is easy to see but what may not be clear to others is the generosity of your heart. You consistently go beyond the monetary aspect of our effort and embrace the families and people we do this for. You do this with the names you share for our jersey each year. You not only send us these names, but you share incredible stories about these special people as well. You open your hearts when you share these personal accounts about your loved ones, family members, friends and at times others you really don’t know but their story moved you to share it with us. Thank you again.

We are not sure if you will ever understand how important and powerful your messages are to our effort each year, but especially this year, 2020. There were two training periods in 2020. We were gearing up in the Spring when the virus hit us all. We moved to training for the second time through the summer of 2020. Whether it was a run in January when we waited for the temps to get into the teens or waking up at 4:00AM to try and beat the heat in July & August, the motivating factor was and always has been the kids at Tufts, the names you send us for our jersey and you and your families. We never take for granted the support you give to this effort. You make this all a success and we know we could never do this without you. Thank you for 24 great years.

I was able to control my environment to a large extent each day. I had the luxury of being able to adjust the time, distance, or day for each run. I was able, if I chose, to run or not each day, week, or the marathon at all. I was able to determine my own fate. I know those you shared with us never had or have any of these “luxuries”. They step up each day and find the strength to endure another treatment, show resolve to move forward after a difficult period and brave another test result not knowing which path they will have to follow. Each person and their story are unique and extremely powerful. They demonstrate to us what it means to be strong, how to overcome life’s obstacles and how to be thankful for the day you have and the people in your life. Each day, each run this and every year I think about the people you share with us and how I need to do a better job as a person to be like them. I know I would never be able to train, never mind run the marathon each year without them as my motivation. We had over 130 family and friends dedicated to the miles we ran this year. 130 names we wish never had to be on our jersey. Thank you for entrusting us with these names. We treat them with the respect and admiration they are deserving of. While we have included a picture of this year’s jersey with this letter we would ask you to visit https://dorchesterbiomedical.com/?page_id=171 to get the best view of our jersey.

We are not telling you anything new when we say 2020 has been an exceptionally long and difficult year. None of us will ever forget the pain, frustration and agony of the past 7 months and we are all feeling the uncertainty and anxiety of what lies ahead. What we can say with a high degree of certainty is together, we can and do make a difference with our effort. Hope, hope is what we have and continue to bring to the families and children we run for. You made the decision to make your donation, you opened your heart and gave hope to so many people we will never meet and expected nothing in return. I hope when you think about this incredible gift you have given to a stranger you realize the power you have and how lucky we are to have you as part of our mission.

It has taken us 24 years to build THE BEST Boston Marathon charity group in the world. It was not easy, and nothing came through the action of one; it has taken all of us. When compared to the children and families we do this for, it has been a walk in the park. We are constantly encouraged and motivated by these remarkable kids. They smile through the pain, so others will not feel bad. They cry softly at night into their pillows, so their parents will not hear them and get upset. These unbelievable kids do so much to make everyone feel good. We cannot give up on them or let them feel they are alone. This will always be the reason why we do what we do.

The virus is going to have long lasting effects. Many have missed appointments, treatments, and delayed diagnosis. Unfortunately, 2021 is going to see an increase in the need for treatment, support and most importantly hope. The 25^th running of The Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for charity will take place in 2021. We will wait to see what the BAA decides to do, but even if they cancel the marathon for 2021, we will still run 26.2 miles for all the reasons we always have. Those we support do not get to cancel their pain, needs or distress. And by running and supporting the children at Tufts, we will make sure HOPE is not cancelled. We simply cannot let that happen.

In closing we want to thank all of you, your family members and friends that have been working as essential workers. From the nurses and doctors providing healthcare to those working in the markets ensuring we can purchase products, to those delivering our mail and packages, to our sanitation workers, first responders, public transportation workers and teachers. Thank you for putting your safety second to the needs of others. Stay safe, healthy and know each day we support you and your families.

We will see you in 2021 between April and September as we continue our mission for year 25.

Take care

Donna and Mike

Good afternoon,

We hope you, your family and friends are doing well, and remaining healthy. It’s been 140 days since our last letter. While the Red Sox are playing, the Celtics are working toward the playoffs and the Bruins are gearing up to bring the Stanley Cup back home to Boston, nothing is normal. We have worked hard facing our daily challenges, tried to make sense of the ever-changing guidelines, and wonder how we will move forward. Working from home was no longer a luxury, it became a necessity. You went from checking your kid’s homework to teaching your “students” in the kitchen. A few of you or members of your family contracted the virus, leading to long days and short nights of hope and prayer.

Many of you placed your own health and that of your families at risk to provide essential services for the rest of us. To each of you healthcare workers, hospital staff, first responders, grocery stores workers, delivery drivers, everyone that donated blood or took time to volunteer your time to help those less fortunate, THANK YOU – you are incredible human beings. Without your services and commitment many would not have survived. You are true heroes and I hope someday soon we can all get together and celebrate your accomplishments properly. But for now, know that what you did has not gone unnoticed and it is greatly appreciated by all of us.

The original version of this letter was written on March 1, just before our world was turned upside down. We were preparing for the 24^th running of the Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity. But just like everything else it was postponed to ensure the health and safety of all – a wise decision.

There are two thing the virus hasn’t canceled or postponed. First are the effects of childhood cancer, and in fact, due to the virus we may see a significant increase in the months and years ahead as many exams and treatments were canceled or postponed during this pandemic. As you all know one of the key elements of a successful treatment is the early detection and treatment of the disease. Sadly, the virus has made this impossible for many children and their families. Before the virus 1 out of every 285 children in the USA faced a cancer diagnosis. The average age of diagnosis for these children is only 6 years old. 80% of these children, at the time of their diagnosis, have seen their cancer already spread to other regions of their body. As hard as it is to accept these facts, the one that really pains me the most is that 1 out of 5 of these beautiful children will not survive this horrible disease.

Every 2 minutes a child, in our world, is diagnosed with cancer
Everyday 720 Moms and Dads, like us, face their worst nightmare
Each year, over 262,000 families, need help and hope

After the original date for the Boston Marathon was postponed, Donna and I talked and decided we would do two things. First, we decided to put together the first, and hopefully the only, Hospital Marathon to support all the nurses, doctors and hospital works in the Boston area hospitals. Thank you all once again for the names and dedications you sent to us for our jersey. We ran the 30 miles on what would have been the date of the 124^th Boston Marathon past many of the hospitals in Boston. The second decision we made was to run the 24^th Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity whenever the date was decided.

I noted above there were two things this virus could not cancel or postpone, the 2^nd is HOPE. Over the past 23 years your commitment to help children and their families facing cancer and early childhood disease, has been amazing. Your generosity and sense of caring has resulted in donations of $170,000.00, all given here in our community. We have never taken you for granted. We know you work hard, have many charities to choose from, your own obligations and yet each year you have found it in your heart to support our cause. Together, we began this endeavor to make a true difference and thanks to you we have stayed true to our mission. Your commitment is providing HOPE and where there is HOPE anything is possible.

Our efforts will once again support Tufts Floating Hospital for Children and Tufts Medical Center. Cancer and early childhood diseases, as many of you know and understand all too well, go beyond the patient. These are family diseases that impact many of our friends and relatives.

Our effort began with the tragic loss, of State Trooper Mark Charbonnier on September 2, 1994. Mark isn’t the only friend or family member who was lost while serving and protecting us. Lt. Kevin Kelley gave his life while serving the people of Boston as a firefighter. Joe Toscano, a Watertown firefighter lost his life fighting a fire. Our donation this year will once again be made in their honor. As the Boston Marathon is a virtual run this year we have taken the opportunity to plan our own route to run the 26.2 miles. We decided to start our run at a park in Randolph dedicated to Joe, run to a dedication plaque for Kevin in Boston and end the 26.2 mile run at the monument for Mark in Dorchester. Not the normal route, but nothing is, and we can’t think of a better way to honor these 3 men.

Our jersey has become as much a part of our effort as everything else. We encourage and welcome you to help us again this year. Please allow us to continue our tradition of placing the names of family, friends and loved ones that are facing or have faced cancer or early childhood disease on our jersey. This act of honor, respect and remembrance is the least we can do to show how much we care about those effected in your lives. I can’t put into words how grateful I am that you allow us to do this each year. Each mile means so much when I read the dedicated names. Our hope during that mile is to let everyone know that they are not alone, not forgotten and always respected.

We know you are doing everything to keep your families whole. Some of you have lost your jobs, taken a pay cut or face an uncertain financial future. We have always been about families and that includes yours, too. We fully understand that this year you may not be able to make a financial donation. We understand and want to thank you for your past financial support, but please continue to send us the names of your friends and loved ones who’ve faced cancer or childhood disease, so we have them on our jersey.

If you’re able and would like to donate we would ask that you make your checks payable to “Tufts Medical Center” and mail them directly to us. If you would prefer to donate online, please click below and select the “DONATE” button to the right on new page.

Please click here to donate to the Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity 2020

All donations are 100% tax deductible. If your company has a matching donation program, please consider applying for your corporate match.

Sunday September 13^th will not have the crowds, the traditional route or the iconic finish line. We will run 26.2 miles. We will show our support for these kids in need. We will remember our family and friends that showed us nothing could or would take their love of life and others, no matter the pain or frustration their cancer brought them. And, will we bring HOPE.

Thank you

Mike and Donna

Why we do this each year, thankfully this story has a positive result.

Big sister helping her younger brother during cancer treatment, childhood cancer is a family disease.

2020 Hospital Marathon

We hope you, your family and friends are healthy and doing well today.

This time each year for the past 24 years, we are normally sending you our letter regarding the Boston Marathon. As you know, the Boston Marathon has been postponed until September, rightfully so. We will be back in touch, late this summer, regarding the 2020 Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity.

Your support and involvement in our effort has been unbelievable to say the least. Each year you make your donation, provide us the names of those special people in your life, so we can have the honor of placing them on our jersey, and you send countless messages of support. We know all of this comes from your heart. We appreciate and respect this, we are humbled by your actions. Thank you.

For 23 years we have be fortunate to have run the Boston Marathon for those in need. We have used this platform to show our support, honor so many and be a part of something very special in our city. While we will wait to run the course in September, we can’t stop thinking about the patients, their families and this year especially, their nurses and caregivers. We know you have a million things to think about and the last thing you need is another ask, but knowing the kind of person you are, we would like to ask that you take a moment on April 20^th and say a prayer or give a positive thought to all those already facing childhood cancer & diseases. You know their world has been anything but normal and now their parents have the added burden of protecting their child from another unseen enemy. We would like to ask you to please include all the nurses and hospital staff working tirelessly with them each day. These remarkable women and men will tell you they are just “doing their job”, we all know this is not true and they deserve our support. Thank you for considering this ask.

From a nurse in Italy:

“I’m a nurse and in this situation, I am facing this sanitary emergency. I too am scared, but not of going buying groceries, I am scared of going to work. I am scared my mask is not sticking properly, or that I touched it with dirty gloves by mistake, or maybe that lenses do not fully cover my eyes and something goes through. I am physically exhausted because personal protective equipment hurts my body, the white coat makes you sweat and after I dress myself I can’t go to the bathroom or even drink for 6 hours. I’m psychologically tired, and just like me also all my coworkers, which have been working in this situation for weeks. But this will not prevent us from doing our job as we have always done. I will keep curing and caring after my patients, because I am proud and in love with my job. What I am now asking to whoever is reading is not to make this effort vain. Please be altruistic and stay home, so that you can protect those who are weak. We young people are not immune to the coronavirus, we can get sick too, or even worse, we can make others get the virus. I don’t have the luxury of going home in quarantine, I have to go to work and do my part. You do yours, I beg you.”

On April 20^th, if we are still able to be outdoors, I’d like to run 26.2 miles along a special route, but we need your help. The route I hope to run will take me along many of the hospitals in Boston that are core to our health and wellbeing. These buildings are nothing without the staff and caregivers, whom each day give endlessly so others have a better day. We would like to ask you to send us the name(s) of nurses, technicians, staff members, therapists, MDs anyone that works at a hospital. It doesn’t need to be in Boston, it can be anywhere in our country. We will put all of them on our jersey for the run on the 20^th. We would really like to show our support to these amazing people, if just for one day, one mile at a time.

The list of hospitals we expect to pass will be listed on this site at a later date. I will make a post to our Facebook page when I reach each place so you can follow along the 26.2 miles on the 20^th.

Thank you again for your support, if you should need anything please let us know.

Take care,

Mike

Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/michael.oneill.77582

Email: [email protected]

Thank You for a great 2019, truly amazing!

Good afternoon!

I hope you and your family are doing well and life is good today.

The running of the 2019 Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity is complete, but your support and caring for others is just starting to help the families and patients at Tufts Floating Hospital for Children. As a result of your collective generosity and desire to help those in need, we were able to raise $11,981 this year. Calling YOU amazing isn’t enough. Your consistent support and understanding of the needs of these families and children is unmatched. When I talk about our effort, either one-on-one or in a group setting, I always begin and end by telling them that YOU are the heart and soul of what we do. YOU deserve all the credit. YOU are the ones that make a difference in a stranger’s life. YOU help to provide a glimmer of hope and light when things are down. YOU don’t see childhood cancer or early childhood disease as someone else’s problem. YOU make it yours, step up and help. YOU have raised over $169,000 the past 23 years. Please take a couple of minutes and consider what YOU are a part of, what YOU have done and the good YOU have helped deliver to those in need. I know each of you would do anything to help one more child facing these horrible diseases. Thank You.

Our thanks, is not just for your generous donations. We want to thank you for the handwritten notes, emails, text messages and phone calls. You can’t imagine how much we appreciate each one of them. Whether you are sending a name for our jersey, updating us on your family or sharing a painful story of a friend or loved one, they all carry tremendous meaning. We are truly humbled to receive each one and I can assure you they’re read multiple times each year. On the Sunday afternoon before the Marathon, I not only read the messages from this year, but some from past years as well. I know that in less than 24 hours I’ll have the honor, privilege and responsibility to represent you, your family and friends for 26.2 miles. Thank you for entrusting me with this each year. I only hope that I’ve lived up to your expectations.

OUR jersey was once again filled with the names you shared with us. We had over 130 family and friends dedicated to the miles we ran. I know I mention this each year but the number of people that stop and ask me about OUR jersey are too many to count. They want to know why we do it and after I explain they become silent. I didn’t understand, when this happened in the earlier years, but I have learned that they just don’t know what to say. Some are overwhelmed by the number of people we respect, while others try to hold back their tears as the stories of your family and friends touch them. OUR jersey has taken on a life of its own and once again it is all because of YOU. Thank you again for allowing us to dedicate our miles to your friends, family and heroes.

There are so many stories and memories I would like to share with you. This was a very special year. Mile 10.5 has become the meeting place for my family and many friends, and I always look forward to getting to this point and seeing everyone for a few minutes before the real work begins: running into Boston through the hills of Newton. This year was special as we, as a family, had the opportunity to remember in a very special way, the life of Boston Firefighter Lt. Kevin Kelley. Kevin is Donna’s cousin and gave his life 10 years ago when the firetruck he was in lost its breaks and crashed. Due to Kevin’s selfless act and putting his life second to those of his truck, everyone else survived the deadly crash. We had a banner for Kevin at mile 10.5 along with many of Kevin’s family including his sister Kathy and daughter Suzy. The way Kevin lived his life has and continues to be an inspiration to my family.

Knowing each of you personally, we’ve talked about having kids, grandkids, nieces or nephews. We’ve all said the same thing to each other “… as long as they are heathy, nothing else matters.”. For the families we run for this, unfortunately, is not the case. It’s during these hard times that your support and donations make a difference. Sometimes they’re used to help with the discovery of new treatment, other times it might be to supply a place for a mom or dad to sleep while their child is being cared for at The Floating Hospital. Still other times it’s as meaningful as putting food on the table, for a family, whose income has been dramatically reduced as one or perhaps both parents can’t work. Could you ever imagine that, during the worst time of your child’s life, your family may not be able to eat? Your generosity and compassion, for 23 years, has helped so many families know that others care, and they are not alone.

For some patients Tufts is their home. These kids haven’t been out of the hospital for a very long time. I’d like to take a moment to thank all the nurses, caregivers and healthcare workers that make these children feel at home. Each day they arrive to help these kids and their families. They put their own issues aside to focus on making that day the best it can be for each child. They’re not immune to the pain and suffering. They are not robots or computers. They have feelings, families and understand all too well how fortunate they are for their healthy family. They learn to cope, they never get use to the pain of the patient or family.

It’s taken us over 23 years to build THE BEST Boston Marathon charity group in the world, here in the city of champions. It wasn’t easy and nothing came by the action of one; it has taken all of us. But compared to the children and families we do this for, it’s been a walk in the park. We are constantly encouraged and motivated by these remarkable kids. They smile through the pain, so others won’t feel bad. They cry softly at night into their pillows, so their parents won’t hear them and get upset. These unbelievable kids do so much to make everyone feel good. We can’t give up on them or let them feel they are alone. The 2020 Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for charity is already underway.

Our donation was once again made in the name of Mark Charbonnier, Kevin Kelley and Joe Toscano. Three great men that lived life to serve others, putting the needs of the weak, strangers and suffering ahead of their own every day.

In closing, Memorial Day is Monday May 27 and it seems we might be losing the meaning of this day. All of us benefit from the courage, commitment and sacrifices of the women & men of our armed services. Please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home, enabling us to live the life we choose with the ones we love.

THANK YOU !!!!!

THANK YOU for another amazing run!

Please click here to donate to the Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity 2019

March 17th long run was in memory of Joe Toscano

Can you lay your life down, so a stranger can live?

Can you take what you need, but take less than you give?

Could you close every day, without the glory and fame?

Could you hold your head high, when no one knows your name?

Saturday Morning Runs can be tough, Tufts’ Kids are TOUGHER!

Welcome to the 2019 Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity.

Before making a donation please view these videos below and read our letter to understand what inspires us to make our commitment each year.

You don’t have to be Big to be Strong

Cancer, you messed with the wrong kid

This is my fight song

Please click here to donate to the Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity 2019

Our letter to you

Welcome to the 23^rd Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity. We hope you, your family and friends are doing well, and life is good.

For 22 years you’ve supported our effort to help children and their families facing cancer and early childhood disease. Your generosity has amounted to donations totaling more than $157,000.00. Your contributions have been used in and around Boston, our home. I hope you take a moment and allow yourself to feel good knowing the direct impact you are having in our community. You’re helping to give the gift of life to many in their time of greatest need. Thank you for your compassion and willingness to be involved in our effort.

Once again, we will be running to support Tufts Floating Hospital for Children and Tufts Medical Center. When you go to our web site at www.DorchesterBioMedical.com and click on the 2019 Marathon Page you will find several links to stories about children that have been patients at Tufts. I’ve watched these over and over and each time I’m inspired as much as I’m frustrated. No child or family should have to deal with this. These kids are the reason we can’t stop doing what we do. The children in these videos are a Mom’s precious baby, Daddy’s little girl, siblings and grandchildren. When our children are born, we image the good: how we’ll play in the yard and read books before bed every night. Unfortunately, for some those dreams don’t happen. The good becomes how to comfort their baby in pain after an operation, chemo treatment or both. Playing and running in the yard turn into how to walk down the hall to the play area with a feeding tube. And reading books before bed, while still happening, is now done in a sterile room, on a hospital bed far from the comforts of home. Dreams are shattered, lives are changed forever and yet these kids find a way to put a smile on their face. All they want to do is be kids and with your help we can make this happen. One of the videos we have posted is called “You don’t have to be Big to Be Strong” when you view this video, watch the faces of the kids. They will move you to tears. One of the lines in the video is: “And while it may be their fight, they will NEVER fight alone”.

Your help, support and donations have turned this phrase from words into action for 22 years. Many outside Boston refer to Boston as the City of Champions due to our sports teams. However, we’ve known for 22 years that Boston is a City of Champions because of people like you, these amazing kids and their families showing us how to overcome adversity, and hospitals like the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts.

When children and their families need the Floating Hospital for Children, a group that’s often overlooked are the nurses. These amazing people that chose to become oncology nurses are remarkable. Think for a moment about the job they have taken on. Many if not all have families and children. Each day, no matter how they feel or what is happening in their world, they know that the day is going to be much harder for the children and families they support. Our sincere thanks and appreciation to them for all they do.

As you know, our effort began with the tragic loss, of State Trooper Mark Charbonnier on September 2, 1994. This September 2 will be 25 years since we lost Mark. Sadly, Mark isn’t the only friend or family member who was lost while serving and protecting us. 10 years ago, this January 9, Lt. Kevin Kelley gave his life while serving the people of Boston as a firefighter. The positive life these two Dorchester boys lived, their commitment to help those in need and the love of their families will never be forgotten. It was just 2 years ago on

March 17 that Watertown firefighter Joe Toscano lost his life during a fire. In a time when the word “hero” is used on athletes and movie stars, let’s not forget who the real heroes are, what they truly sacrifice and the price they and their families pay to keep us safe. Our donation this year will once again be made in remembrance and honor of Mark, Kevin, and Joe. A song I have in my playlist by Bryan Adams, “Never Let Go”, begins with the words below, which truly represents the way they lived their lives:

Can you lay your life down, so a stranger can live?

Can you take what you need, but take less than you give?

Could you close every day, without the glory and fame?

Could you hold your head high, when no one knows your name?

Our jersey has become as much a part of our effort as everything else. We only make one and we encourage and welcome you to help us again this year. Please allow us to continue our tradition of placing the names of family, friends and loved ones that are or have faced cancer or early childhood disease on our jersey. This act of honor, respect and remembrance is the least we can do to show how much we care about those effected in your lives. I can’t put into words how grateful I am that you allow us to do this each year. Each mile means so much when I read the dedicated names. Our hope during that mile is to let everyone know that they are not alone, not forgotten and always respected. This year the color of our jersey will again be Gold representing childhood cancer awareness. No child should ever have to live through the pain, sadness or uncertainty cancer brings. Kids should be able to just be kids.

To donate we would ask that you make your checks payable to “Tufts Medical Center” and mail them directly to me. If you would prefer to donate online:

Please click here to donate to the Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity 2019

All donations are 100% tax deductible. If your company has a matching donation program, please let me know so I can provide you with the information to double your donation.

If you’re planning on being on the route Marathon Monday, PLEASE let me know so I can stop and say “Hi”. I don’t run for time, we run to give hope to those in need. This year in remembrance of Kevin Kelley’s 10^th anniversary, Donna and my family will be at mile 10 in Natick with a special banner for Kevin. Please reach out to Donna as we show our continued support for the Kelley family.

It’s amazing what we have been able to accomplish the past 22 years, but we have more to do. With your help and continued support we will see the day when childhood cancer cannot harm another child.

This is my fight song, Take back my life song,
Prove I’m alright song, My power’s turned on,
Starting right now I’ll be strong (I’ll be strong)
I’ll play my fight song And I don’t really care if nobody else believes
‘Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me

Fight Song by Rachel Platten

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2018 Jersey

“Golden Mile 11”

(Gold is the color used to symbolize Childhood Cancer)

Rebecca with her Finisher’s Medal April 17, 2018

Meeting with Rebecca in Chicago May 11, 2018

Rebecca’s Message of HOPE

Welcome to the 2018 Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity

Click here to donate to the 2018 Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity Floating Hospital for Children

Good afternoon, I hope this letter finds you and your family well. I want to welcome you to the 22^nd Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity. This year’s Marathon Monday comes with mixed emotions as it marks the 5^th anniversary of the finish line bombings. I’ve been struggling to find the proper words and format for our letter this year. It wasn’t until a couple of days ago that I came across a Podcast by a surgeon I know, have worked with and who is also a marathon runner. During the Podcast he said:

“… after viewing videos of the events, it was truly amazing to see that the majority of those immediately administering first-aid to those hurt, were by-standers. After seeing this I have come to change my wording from by-standers to by-doers. These were people that were compelled to help others. In our culture/city we don’t need to convince good people to do good things.”

I’ve known Dr. King for many years – he’s a trauma surgeon at MGH and a combat surgeon in the US Army. He had just finished the marathon in 2013 when the bombings occurred. He went to MGH and treated numerous victims. I only mention this to give you the proper perspective of his message. I couldn’t agree more with Dr. King’s message of hope – we are a city of good people that want to do good things for others. We will continue to show our respect to all those effected by these horrific acts now and forever by doing good for those in need.

While Dr. King’s words are extremely impactful, they come as no surprise to me. Having had the fortune to be born and raised in Boston, like many of you, we truly want to help others and do the right thing. We are a city of tough but good people. This Marathon Monday, please remember those whose lives were taken, their families and friends. Also keep in your thoughts the many injured who are still working to move forward. And don’t forget all the first responders, nurses and doctors that gave hope during a time of darkness

Marathon Monday is always an emotional day and, as noted above, this year it will be more so. Your continued support of our effort has been truly amazing. Through your generosity we have been able to donate over $148,000.00 to those in need in our area. Most of the years we’ve run and supported charities which focus on childhood disease and cancer. This year I’m excited that we will continue this tradition by supporting Tufts Floating Hospital for Children and Tufts Medical Center. This as a great fit between our mission and their goals. I love the message on their web site:

BOSTON IS TOUGH. OUR KIDS ARE TOUGHER!

We’re living in a world and during a time where we want to eliminate all forms of bias, discrimination, prejudice, bigotry and racism. Yet some kids face the most non-biased, non-discriminating, least prejudice entity on this planet – cancer. Cancer doesn’t look at the color of your skin. Cancer doesn’t worry about the country you were born in. Cancer doesn’t care about the dreams we hold in our hearts for our families. Simply put, cancer doesn’t hate one, it hates all. Tufts Floating Hospital for Children and Tufts Medical Center is made up of good people doing good things here in our city for people in need – they’re providing hope.

As you read this letter and wonder if your support and donations have made a difference, know that they do. Your compassion for others has given Moms and their children a place to call home during cancer treatments. Your generosity has helped to meet the financial burden faced by cancer families in their darkest hours. Your kindness to strangers has given hope to so many people and families over the past 21 years. These people live next door, up the street and in your community. You’ve helped Moms keep their promise to see their daughters and sons marry the love of their life. You placed a pillow under a dad’s head as he climbed into his son’s hospital bed to read the same story for the 100^th time. You gave children the chance to go home healthy and just be kids again. You did all of this and you should feel good. You made a difference and you provided hope at times when it seemed impossible. Never doubt what your support means.

A very special and unique part of our effort is our jersey. We only have one each year and those of you that have been with us know what we’re going to ask next. Please allow us to continue our tradition of placing the names of family, friends and loved ones that are or have faced cancer or early childhood disease on our jersey. I can’t put into words how grateful I am that you allow me to do this. Each mile I read the dedicated names and I hope for that mile I can carry the burden and pain for those people. This year the color of our jersey will be yellow/gold representing childhood cancer awareness. One change we are making this year is adding to Miles 9 & 11 our support for our military and families dealing with PTSD, it’s real and it is affecting many of our finest heroes.

I want to thank you again for your generous support. Our donation this year will be made in remembrance and honor of State Trooper Mark Charbonnier, Boston Fireman Lt. Kevin Kelley, and firefighter Joseph Toscano; friends, family and heroes to us all. We ask that you make your checks payable to “Team Tufts MC” and mail it directly to me. If you would prefer to donate online please do so here:

Click here to donate to the 2018 Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity Floating Hospital for Children

All donations are 100% tax deductible. If your company has a matching donation program, please let me know so I can provide you with the information to double your donation.

If you’re on the route Marathon Monday, PLEASE let me know so I can stop and say “Hi”. I don’t run this for time, we run this to give hope to those in need.

Please scroll down and watch the video of “HOPE” I promise you will be moved. I’d like to share the following words with you from a song on my Marathon Playlist:

Don’t take for granted the love this life gives you
When you get where you’re goin’
Don’t forget turn back around
Help the next one in line
Always stay humble and kind

HOPE Video from Rebecca

The video will inspire and remind you, of the reasons we need to keep going. I received this video a couple years back and just this year, by happenstance, met Rebecca through work. This video is going to tug at your heart in so many ways but please hold on to the true message Rebecca is delivering..

Hope for all.

This year we’re running for the Floating Hospital for Children and Tufts Medical Center. Help us build our connection diagram by sending us your paths to this world class institution.

We have to find the cures for childhood cancer, we can’t accept this. 1 in every 5 children with cancer is taken by the disease.

Braylynn Lawhon, 5, of Gulf Breeze, Fla., is hooked up to breathing tubes and monitors in early January at The Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart in Pensacola, Fla. Her 49-year-old grandfather, Sean Peterson, who is afflicted with Lou Gehrig’s disease, grieves beside her.(Photo: Courtesy of Ally Parker)

THANK YOU for a great 2017 Hell of an Amen Run

For 21 years, I have sat in front of a screen and tried to find a proper way to say thank you. It truly is the most difficult part of our effort. What combination of words and phrases can I write that will expresses how appreciative we are for your steadfast support, our admiration for your compassion to help others or the seemingly endless depth of your generosity. Until we find those words please accept our simple words of thank you once more.

Through your collective donations and corporate matching, we raised $8,000.00 for 15-40.org. Your total donations over the past 21 years brings the amount given to charities to more than $148,000.00.

Your donations have given shelter to families and patients during cancer treatments at Tufts Medical Center through the effort of The Neely House. You have provided direct financial support to families of children diagnosed with cancer that can’t meet their mortgage payments, healthcare costs and in some cases put food on the table. You have supported programs for early intervention for children with delayed learning concerns and now through your donations to 15-40, you are educating one of the most vulnerable age groups about cancer and how early detection can save lives. Please take a couple minutes to review the chart below, think of how many lives will be impacted in a positive way because you decided to get involved. Early detection matters:

Our thank you letter would not be complete without mentioning our jersey. Everyone I talk with about our effort must endure my story about our jersey. This year I rode out to the start on a “charity” bus. This was a first for me. The bus was filled with other people running for various charities. It was great to hear their stories of why they chose to run the marathon for their charity. Some were doing it after experiencing a major-medical issue and wanted to give back to those that helped them. Others were running to honor a loved one or friend and some just wanted to get involved and help those less fortunate. I enjoyed listening to them and admired them for making the commitment. Eventually the conversation came to why we were involved. I didn’t say anything at first. I reached into the plastic bag I had and pulled out our lavender jersey and gave it to the woman beside me. She held it up to look at it and the comments and questions came from everywhere. “How many names are on the miles”, “who is Mark, Kevin and Joe?”….. They all loved not just the shirt but what it represented and the mile dedications resonated with them on so many levels. Our jerseys are one of a kind and truly represent our families and friends. We had 128 names this year across the 26.2 miles and I need every one of them to make it back to Boston. Reading the names each mile and thinking about them and their family and friends carried me home. They inspired me and reminded me why we have been doing this for 21 years. Our jersey will always be part of our effort.

In twenty-one years, we have made a difference, but cancer is still disrupting lives and claiming loved ones each year. Before our 2018 Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity, an estimated 1.7 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed and over 600,000 people will die from cancer in our country. Paraphrasing Robert Frost:

We have promises to keep, And miles to go before We sleep,

Thank you, once again. On behalf of my family, 15-40.org and myself, we want to wish you all the best. Our efforts for the 2018 Boston Marathon Hell of an Amen Run for Charity have already begun.

2018 is going to be a special year for all of us. The 2018 Boston Marathon will be the 5^th anniversary of the bombings. We will be looking to do something special to remember the tragedy, honor the families and people impacted and remember that Boston Strong was defined by compassion and caring by strangers for strangers in a time of need and hatred. Although we used this song to close last year’s letter it seems appropriate to use it again leading us toward next year’s effort. Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind” is a great song with lyrics that for me define our effort and what it really means to be Boston Strong. Below is a small sample, I would encourage you to find the song online and listen to it if you haven’t already:

“When you get where you’re going Don’t forget turn back around And help the next one in line Always stay humble and kind”

Thank you again and we will see you for the 2018 Boston Marathon Hell of an Amen Run for Charity

THANK YOU!

Mike

Opening Letter 2017

As I’m writing this letter snow is falling, temps are dropping and the forecasters say the weather next week could include a snowstorm. It’s not January, it’s March and the 2017 Boston Marathon is only 5 weeks away! Much will change between now and April 17, but one thing that won’t is our continued support and desire to help those affected by cancer in our communities. It’s hard to believe we are beginning our 3^rd decade (year 21). Through your continued support and generosity, we have raised and donated over $140,000 to local charities to support families dealing with cancer.

Your commitment, compassion, and willingness to be involved is something which has never been taken for granted. Without you this effort doesn’t move forward. Your donations have provided services and relief to those in their time of need, but it has also done much more. Through your commitment, families can live together as they prepare for the next day of cancer treatment staying at The Neely House. Through your willingness, families of children with cancer receive financial relief from their mounting debt through Cops for Kids with Cancer. Above all, through your compassion, you give families and patients another reason to believe tomorrow will be better, that others care and that they are not alone in their struggles.

Cancer is not simple – it’s complex, it’s horrific and it impacts families forever. Cancer has no bias or prejudice. It doesn’t ask about race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex or age. It doesn’t care about the mom of 3 when it unleashes breast cancer. It doesn’t think about the impact to a single dad when it infects him with Multiple Myeloma. It certainly has no conscience or compassion when it touches a child and robs them of a rich and fulfilling life. We’re different – we do care about everyone facing this disease. Over 20 years ago, we chose to make cancer our problem. We decided to care, think, have a conscience and most of all to be compassionate.

We’ve arrived at the 21^st Boston Marathon Run for Charity and, once again, I’m asking for your support. Due to number allocations, our charity has again been changed, but we are very fortunate to be running for another local group, 15-40 Connection. 15-40 Connection is an organization dedicated to starting the conversation about cancer symptoms for people between the ages of 15 and 40. This is critically important as early recognition or diagnosis is essential to a successful treatment and resolution to cancer. Staying silent is no longer an option in the fight against cancer.

15-40 Connection’s mission is THE POWER OF YOU

When it comes to cancer symptoms, knowledge is more than power. It’s empowering. Know how to recognize cancer symptoms. It’s lifesaving. Cancer often first reveals itself as a subtle and persistent change to your normal health. Knowing how to identify these changes can lead to earlier diagnosis, more effective treatment, and saved lives.

Our support of 15-40 Connection will enable them to continue to raise awareness of people in the 15-40 age group to the signs and symptoms of cancer. Why this age group? Simple, they are the most underserved group when it comes to cancer. Cancer doesn’t happen to people this young – wrong. Until we’re able to prevent cancer from starting the next level of defense is enabling people to recognize symptoms earlier. You can learn more about 15-40 Connection by going to their web site at www.15-40.org. You can also get involved by contacting your high school, college or place of work and arranging for 15-40 Connection to come on site. 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime – early detection can save their life.

Individuals and families battle hard to defeat cancer and for 20 years we have used our jersey to honor them by dedicating miles in their names. To date, you’ve allowed us to dedicate Miles to more than 1,600 very special people. Please allow us to continue to do this by sending the names of those you may have lost or are in the fight of their life against cancer or childhood disease. I would never have made it without their help and I can’t imagine arriving in Boston without them. Thank you for allowing us to do this each year. This year the color of our jersey will be lavender which is the color for all cancers.

I want to thank you again for your generous support. Our donation this year will be made in remembrance and honor of State Trooper Mark Charbonnier and Lt. Kevin Kelley; friends, family and heroes to us all. We ask that you make your checks payable to 15-40 Connection or to donate online please click on DONATE below. All donations are 100% tax deductible and in support of a great cause.

DONATE

If you’re on the route Marathon Monday let me know so I can stop and say “Hi”. It doesn’t matter how long it takes to get to Boston. If it gets dark, I know the way!

I’d like to close this letter with a quote from one of too many friends that have been diagnosed and battled cancer this year and some of the lyrics to “Hell of an Amen”, which became our theme song last year. If you haven’t seen the video, please find the time to watch it. It has been viewed almost 35 Million times, at least 10,000 times by me.

“Hell of an Amen” — Brantley Gilbert

Doctor said he ain’t got long, He just smiled said bring it on
Well if you think I’m scared, You got me all wrong
No a little cancer can’t break me, My heart’s right and I believe
We all hit our knees, And started prayin’ Naw he never gave up

Said the good Lord’s waitin’, That’s one hell of an amen

“You are correct that I did not choose this battle, but I did choose to fight and to live as well as I can, for as long as I can” – Joanne

Thank you

Mike

2016 Jersey & Cops for Kids with Cancer

Back 2016 photo Front 2016 photo

Thank you for a great 20 years

Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity 2016

Twenty years of support, effort and unconditional commitment, by you, has impacted the lives of those struggling with cancer in a positive way. Twenty years of caring, heartbreak and memories allowed us to remember so many friends, family and relatives. For twenty years we haven’t hoped someone else would help. Instead, we made it our mission to get involved. Twenty years of saying thank you still doesn’t seem enough, but please know that it has always been said and written with ultimate respect to and for you. Thank you, once again, for another fantastic year.

Through your collective donations and corporate matching, we raised $10,000.00 for Cops for Kids with Cancer. Your total donations over the past 20 years brings the amount given to charities over $140,000.00. Your generosity and commitment to our effort is greatly appreciated and I can’t over emphasis the impact your donations have on families during some of the toughest times they will ever face. I hope you will allow yourself to take a couple of minutes and think about this. It should make you feel good. You’ve taken time to care about others, provided a hand up, not a hand out, for families in need and you’ve done so for twenty years.

I want to thank everyone that followed our countdown on Facebook this year as well. For me it brought back so many memories. Going back to why we started and the obstacles we overcame to get to year 1. To the tragedies we faced as families, a city and a country. Yet, through it all, and maybe because of it, we found a way to keep this effort going. I hope the countdown had you experience the gambit of emotions, after all that is what life is about.

I’m so thankful we had the chance to run this year and, similar to year 1, we had our challenges getting to the start. Our long time charity The Neely House was not granted numbers, but we were able to connect with Cops for Kids with Cancer and it turned into a huge success and great experience. A huge thank you goes out to Bill Coulter (take the time to google State Trooper Bill Coulter and his run with cancer) the founder of Cops for Kids with Cancer. Bill is a Massachusetts State Trooper, trained Mark at the academy and ran the Marathon the year Mark did as well. Once Bill heard our story and why we started he made sure we were not going to miss year 20.

Year 20 would not be complete without mentioning our Golden Jersey. As you know we ran with a Gold jersey to recognize Children with Cancer. This year we had 116 individual names and 6 organizations on our jersey. The pride I have when people ask about our jersey is beyond words. When I tell them we honored and remembered 116 people they don’t know what to say. They love why we do it, but they also understand with each name many tears were shed, lives challenged and changed forever. Our jersey is as much a part of our effort as the run itself. I’d like to thank all of you that took the time to stand out on the route this year. It was great to see you, stop and talk and just take a minute or two to catch up.

Twenty years has been great, but cancer hasn’t take a single day off in this time and it hasn’t decided to quit and neither have we. We’ve done a lot, but we need to do more. The day after the marathon I received a donation and letter from a longtime supporter. In her letter she asked that we keep her brother-in-law in our thoughts as he faces his challenges with cancer. Our jersey for year 21, unfortunately, already has its first name.

Thank you once again. On behalf of my family, Cops for Kids with Cancer and myself, we want to wish you all the best. Our efforts for the 2017 Boston Marathon Run for Charity are underway

In closing I’d like to leave you with some of the lyrics from a song we added this year by Tim McGraw titled “Humble and Kind”. I hope you can listen to the entire song but the final verse below is why we have done this for twenty years and have no plans of stopping anytime soon.

“When you get where you’re going Don’t forget turn back around And help the next one in line Always stay humble and kind”

Thank you again and we will see you for the 2017 Boston Marathon Hell of an Amen Run for Charity

THANK YOU!

Mike

Welcome to the Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity 2016.

Many of you have been receiving this letter for the past 20 years. Over those 20 years we’ve been on a journey, a mission, together. Every mile I’ve run, each hill I’ve climbed, you were there. You had to be. There is no way I could have done this alone, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Please accept my gratitude, appreciation and thanks for all your support and belief in our effort.

While numbers don’t tell the whole story, I thought I should share some of them to give you a perspective of the magnitude of your generosity and the depth of your passion not only for those you love, but many you have never had the pleasure to meet.

You’ve allowed us to dedicate Miles to over 1,500 friends, family and strangers, who showed us all what it means to be a hero – thank you
Your generosity has allowed us to donate over $130,000.00 to those in need.

Over the past 20 years we, as individuals, a group and a nation, have been through a lot. Many events have been happy. Some of you met that special person and started a new life. Others became parents and grandparents, and these children have graduated high school and college, making you so proud. And others have fought and won their battle against cancer and childhood disease. We’ve also endured our share of heartbreak. We’ve lost loved ones we would have given anything to have one more day with. We were stunned when our nation was attacked and we lost so many innocent lives. As a direct result, we had to say goodbye to many brave soldiers who gave their lives in battle, so we could sleep in peace. None of us will ever forget the Marathon Bombings, the five lives taken or the pain still being felt each day by the survivors and their families. Together we celebrated the good, supported each other during the bad and, most importantly, found our path forward when we felt one didn’t exist – thank you. So, as we stand here on the edge of the 20^th Boston Marathon Run for Charity, once again, I’m asking for your support. This year The Neely House hit a rough patch. They were not allocated bibs for the Marathon, but rather than turning their back and just telling me I had no number, they connected me to a great organization: Cops for Kids with Cancer. This group is complimentary to The Neely House in so many ways and, given the chance, I committed to run. Please take a moment and visit their web site:

https://copsforkidswithcancer.org/

Cancer is the leading cause of disease-related deaths in children under 20. Every year, about 12,400 children and teens under the age of 20 are diagnosed with cancer – that is one in every 330 children. The average age of diagnosis is 5. Although cure rates are steadily increasing, 35% of children will die from a diagnosis of cancer. In general, children diagnosed with central nervous system tumors do NOT share the favorable prognosis of other more common pediatric abnormal masses. Cancer remains the number one disease killer of children; more than genetic anomalies, cystic fibrosis and AIDS combined. Imagine how horrible this would be for your child and family. For many, the stress becomes unbearable and the financial burdens overwhelming. This is at the core of what Cops for Kids with Cancer is about. Helping kids with cancer. I can’t think of a more appropriate cause for us to run & support for our 20^th Boston Marathon.

We’ll wear a GOLD jersey this year in recognition of Childhood Cancer. As you know, our jersey is an important part of our effort. To date, you’ve allowed us to dedicate Miles for more than 1,500 very special people. Please allow us to continue to do this by sending the names of those you may have lost or are in the fight of their life against cancer or childhood disease. Placing their names on our jersey is our way of showing our support and respect. I can’t imagine getting to Boston without them. Thank you for letting us do this.I’ve always run listening to music and I’m always looking for a song that can capture all the aspects of our efforts. This year I found one by Brantley Gilbert, and the song is titled “One Hell of an Amen”.

The words and images in this song match everything we have done and will continue to do. So this year, the name of our run is The Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity. You can find the song on the web, if you don’t know it. If you close your eyes and listen to the words, I have little doubt that you will instantly see the connections, and understand why this song matches our efforts.I want to thank you again for your generous support. Our donation this year will be made in remembrance and honor of State Trooper Mark Charbonnier and Lt. Kevin Kelley; friends, family and heroes to us all. We ask that you make your checks payable to Cops for Kids with Cancer and sent to 1 Martindale Road Randolph, MA 02368 Your donations are 100% tax deductible and, more importantly, are going to bring relief to families that need our help.

To mark our 20 years, we are turning to social media for some help. Please like us on Facebook @ Dorchester BioMedical. Here we are going to countdown 20 days to the Boston Marathon. Each day we will be posting pictures, links, songs and events that represent each year’s effort. Day 1 of the countdown will feature our first run together and day 20 is Marathon Monday, April 18. We hope you will enjoy and participate in this tribute to our 20 years of working together.

I’d like to see all of you along the 26.2 miles to Boston. I don’t care if it takes until dark to get to Boston. I will stop and say “Hi”, shake hands, hug, laugh or cry with each of you. We’ve done a lot these last 20 years and we’re going to keep going. We can’t let it be someone else’s problem, that’s not who we are.

2015 Jersey & 19 years supporting The Neely House

Our jersey was ORANGE to honor those effected by Leukemia.

Marathon1

Mile 11, 2015:

THANK YOU EVERYONE 2015

It was another fantastic run and year. All the thanks goes to you, our supporters, for all you give. I really need to find a more appropriate phrase than “Thank You”. I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate the notes you send with your donations. Each one is special. The fact that you would take the time to do this means a great deal and I hope that you will continue to do this as we go on. Through your collective donations and corporate matching we raised $8,500.00 for The Neely House this year. Your total donations over the past 19 years brings the amount given to over $130,000.00! What an amazing achievement, you should feel great sense of pride, knowing you’ve made a difference in so many lives. Congratulations. In the opening letter this year I referenced Coach Jimmy V and his remarkable acceptance speech just months before his passing to cancer. Everyone that hears this speech connects to different parts and for me it’s always been his 3 points for each day. Think, Laugh and bring yourself to Emotion. I wish I could say I am able to do this each day, but I know without doubt every Marathon Monday I live these 3 points in great part to your efforts, and this year was no different. Thinking on Marathon Monday is easy. I think about why we are doing this. I think about the names that we have on our shirt. I think about how many friends and family have heard the difficult news that they or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer. But I also think about the numerous other charity runners that I have the unique pleasure of starting with. I think about the person that is running just in front of me and the dedication and emotion they have for their cause or name on their shirt. Often it’s a mom or dad that has passed too soon. And while thinking is great, doing is even better. As you pass them you let them know, as a parent, that they’re making their mom or dad so proud. Laughing on Marathon Monday is a bit harder. I’m not talking about nervous laughter which every runner has that day. I’m talking about the laughter Coach V meant: enjoying life. True laughter for me comes when I meet many of you on the course. I really enjoy seeing people on the route and stopping to say “Hi”, taking a picture or being told how long ago the lead group went by! These are brief moments and interactions, but they are definitely times of laughter and happiness on a long trip to Boston. Feeling emotion on Marathon Monday is a given, and this year was no exception. It began with having my younger brother up from North Carolina to run this year. As we arrive at the bus area in the Boston Common, we witnessed a marriage proposal between two runners. For me, one of the more emotional aspects of the day was the starting line. As we lined up the sky opened up and the rain began. The group I was around seemed to quiet down. They weren’t bothered by the fact that it was raining; it was more of a reflective time. The rain represented something more to them, to me. The rain reminded me of a song I had heard several years ago. Here are part of the words and song title. Try to find it online: One day shy of eight years old, my grandma passed I was a broken hearted little boy, blowing out that birthday cake how I cried when the sky let go, with a cold and lonesome rain, mamma smiled, said don’t be sad child, grandma’s watching you today cause there’s holes in the floor of heaven and her tears are pouring down, that’s how you know she’s watching, wishing she could be here now, and sometimes if your lonely, just remember she can see, there’s holes in the floor of heaven, and she’s watching over you and me, ……

Holes in the Floor of Heaven by Steve Wariner

You can change the words to be a parent, friend or anyone but the meaning still holds. So much of what we do and work toward is driven by many we no longer have in our lives, but it doesn’t mean they’re not still watching over us. Thank you once again. On behalf of my family, The Neely House and myself, we want to wish you all the best. Our efforts for the 2016 Boston Marathon Run for Charity are underway. 2016 will be our 20th Anniversary; a great accomplishment by all of you. Please visit our web page for pictures and electronic copy of our documents: Thank you again

Mike

2014 Jersey

Our jersey was PINK to honor those effected by Breast Cancer

Dorchester BioMedical

Boston Marathon Run for Charity 2024!

Thank You for an amazing 2022 Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen Run for Charity”

October 11, 2021Boston Marathon

THANK YOU!!!!

September 13, 2020 Boston Marathon Virtual Run

2020 Hospital Marathon

Thank You for a great 2019, truly amazing!

March 17th long run was in memory of Joe Toscano

Saturday Morning Runs can be tough, Tufts’ Kids are TOUGHER!

Welcome to the 2019 Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity.

Before making a donation please view these videos below and read our letter to understand what inspires us to make our commitment each year.

Please click here to donate to the Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity 2019

Our letter to you

Please click here to donate to the Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity 2019

2018 Jersey

“Golden Mile 11”

(Gold is the color used to symbolize Childhood Cancer)

Rebecca with her Finisher’s Medal April 17, 2018

Meeting with Rebecca in Chicago May 11, 2018

Rebecca’s Message of HOPE

Welcome to the 2018 Boston Marathon “Hell of an Amen” Run for Charity

This year we’re running for the Floating Hospital for Children and Tufts Medical Center. Help us build our connection diagram by sending us your paths to this world class institution.

We have to find the cures for childhood cancer, we can’t accept this. 1 in every 5 children with cancer is taken by the disease.

THANK YOU for a great 2017 Hell of an Amen Run

We have promises to keep, And miles to go before We sleep,

“When you get where you’re going Don’t forget turn back around And help the next one in line Always stay humble and kind”

Opening Letter 2017

2016 Jersey & Cops for Kids with Cancer

2015 Jersey & 19 years supporting The Neely House

Mile 11, 2015:

THANK YOU EVERYONE 2015

2014 Jersey