Marlene Fronske is running Boston to say ‘thank you’ to her body
"The fact that I get to give back to the place that helped me to celebrate five years of remission this year is a full circle moment."
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: Marlene Fronske
Age: 50
From: Brookline
In 2018, I was diagnosed with HPV head and neck cancer. I sought and had treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. I went through three rounds of chemotherapy that left me with debilitating neuropathy, hearing loss, tinnitus, and adrenal insufficiency. I had 36 rounds of radiation to my head and neck. I also signed up for a 13-month study to see how the affects of immunotherapy can aid in this type of treatment.
The neuropathy was so brutal that I couldn’t even walk a mile out of treatment. Slowly over time I started to walk and began to run during COVID as a way to say thank you to my body. I started with a 5k with my son, moved to a 10k, a half marathon and in 2022 ran my first marathon. Boston Marathon has a special place in my heart as I love the day and live on the route. The fact that I get to give back to the place that helped me to celebrate five years of remission this year is a full circle moment.
Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
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