Jody J. Passen is running Boston in support of cancer survivors

"Early detection played a key role in my successful outcome. My journey has motivated me to become a patient advocate for patients, survivors, and their caregivers."

Jody J. Passen is running the 2024 Boston Marathon.

April 11, 2024

3 minutes 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.

Name: Jody J. Passen
Age: 50
From: Millersport, Ohio

I decided to run the 2024 Boston Marathon as I will be five years breast cancer-free; 50 years old and it will be my fifth Boston Marathon. Two passions of mine are advocating for breast cancer patients, survivors, their caregivers, proactively communicating the importance of early detection, and running in the Boston Marathon. When supporting others through their own cancer journeys, I use the analogy that treatment is much like a marathon, not a sprint. I want all people to know that cancer undoubtedly changes your life, but by no means, does it define you – or take away your long-time passions. And to remember that you will develop new passions as a result.

My long-time passion has been running in The Boston Marathon, my new passions have become advocating for other patients, Warrior Survivors, their caregivers, educating the masses on the importance of early detection and being there to support others in their journeys. I am honored to raise funds, and run, for Team DetecTogether this year. Early detection played a key role in my successful outcome. My journey has motivated me to become a patient advocate for patients, survivors, and their caregivers and I am passionate about educating the masses on the importance of early detection, just like DetecTogether is!

The Boston Marathon holds a very special place in my heart, and every Marathon has been memorable, personal and emotional for different reasons. Just three weeks before running my first Boston Marathon in 2016, my family and I lost my sister, Janice, to pancreatic cancer. She was an amazing fighter and exemplified a level of endurance, grit and faith like you cannot believe. Like most first time Boston Marathoners, you really don’t appreciate the difficulty of the course until you are the one running it. As I ran through Wellesley in 2016, it was remembering Janice’s grit that kept me going.

In 2017, I experienced much different emotions at the finish line, when my now husband proposed to me! In 2019, I ran with my new last name, and a mere two and a half months later, was diagnosed with breast cancer – where another type of Marathon began. While my cancer was caught early, I still underwent the trifecta of eight months of treatment: surgery, four months of chemotherapy and five and a half weeks of daily radiation. The pandemic hit shortly after my return to work, and as we all remember, the Boston Marathon was not spared of the worldwide shutdowns.

In 2022, with my running feet back underneath me, I ran my fourth Boston Marathon as a three-year breast cancer survivor! I ran for The Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center where I was treated; and for so many strong survivors and others who sadly lost their battles to breast cancer. This year will be incredibly meaningful, as I run 26.2 miles for the fifth time through the streets of Boston, as a very proud (almost) five-year breast cancer survivor and as a new inductee of the 50+ club…all in the spirit of early detection!

As an alumnus of The Ohio State University, “dotting the I” during Script Ohio is not only an honor for those selected to dot the “I,” but for all who get to watch it on Game Day. It’s a very proud moment. On April 15, I look forward to making that right on Hereford, left on Boylston and proudly dotting that “I” on the FINISH line!

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