Just days after the 2025 Boston Marathon, I found myself exploring the Boston Athletic Association’s Official Charity Program page. The list of non-profit organizations was filled with groups dedicated to building healthier communities. I scrolled through the logos looking for one that resonated — and one stood out: the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter.
Although I don’t have a direct connection to that chapter, I feel deeply aligned with their mission. Early in my nursing career, working as a pediatric ICU nurse and later as a home health nurse for Stanford, I saw firsthand the toll serious illness takes on children and families. Later, after losing my stepdad to leukemia and then my husband to lung cancer just a year and a half later, I experienced personally how vital those moments of hope can be. So, I emailed to request a spot on their interest list.
Fast forward 4–5 months, and this past week I received an email inviting me to apply for the Make-A-Wish team to raise money and run in the 130th Boston Marathon. To be clear, it’s an invitation to join the wait list. Even if I’m selected after September 29th, I don’t know how long it will take before I know if I actually made the team.
What I do know is this: I’ve stepped up my running. With my 60th birthday at the end of this year and my last (19th) marathon back in May 2011, it will take careful, consistent training to be marathon-ready seven months from now. And it will take even more creativity, dedication, and outreach to meet — and hopefully exceed — the fundraising minimum.
But I would be honored to run Boston with Team Make-A-Wish to help bring hope to others.
Cross your fingers for me.