Caitlin Belyeu is running to support her mother’s battle with cancer

"This is her final leg of her marathon. She will likely not get to cross this finish line and get to enjoy the ultimate prize for her efforts: to live cancer-free."

March 28, 2024

1 minute to read

In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon runners share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston. If you’re running the marathon, you can share your story here.

Name: Caitlin Belyeu
Age: 36
From: Providence, R.I.

Since 2012, my mother, Sheila Murphy, has run her own marathon with cancer.

Twelve years ago, she crossed the finish line proudly by completing her treatment of chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer.

She thought she was finished, but in 2018 her world would be rocked again with a diagnosis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). This prognosis was different. No chemo, instead, constant monitoring for the remainder of her life.

In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, she officially became a patient at Dana-Farber when she was diagnosed with Malignant Mixed Mullerian Tumor (MMMT), while living with CLL.

After four aggressive rounds of chemotherapy, she hoped the rare and aggressive cancer was beaten, and that her race against the disease was finally over.

In April of 2023, our family received the devastating news that my mom’s MMMT was back, and this time it was Stage 4, having spread throughout her body.

Her teams at Dana Farber, Tufts, and Brigham and Woman’s are working to improve her quality of life. This is her final leg of her marathon. She will likely not get to cross this finish line and get to enjoy the ultimate prize for her efforts: to live cancer-free.

This year, I want to cross the finish line in a city that continues to help my mom and others earn their unicorns.

Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.