Michaela Perrotta is running in honor of her father
"I've never seen anyone with such an upbeat and positive attitude during the darkest times."
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: Michaela Perrotta
Age: 25
From: Boston
I’m taking on the challenge of running the 128th Boston Marathon in honor of my beloved father who lost his battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia when I was 19 years old.
My dad was not only my parent but more importantly my best friend, and his journey through cancer deeply impacted my life.
His infectious sense of humor, unwavering kindness, and genuine care for others made him one of the most remarkable people most of us have ever known.
I’ve never seen anyone with such an upbeat and positive attitude during the darkest times.
In fact, his transplant physician Dr. Soiffer chose him to talk at the Jimmy Fund Telethon in Fenway park on TV- where my father spoke about how magical Dana-Farber was.
It was during this trying period that my family and I witnessed the incredible dedication and expertise of the medical team at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Their commitment to compassionate care, groundbreaking research, and the relentless pursuit of a world without cancer left an indelible mark on my family’s hearts.
Running this marathon in my father’s name is not just something I want to do, but something I feel that I need to do.
Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
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