Boston Marathon

Why I’m Running: ‘My small way to give a very big thank you’

Kate Girard is running to support her father's battle with cancer.

By Alex Svenson

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.

Name: Kate Girard
Age: 41
From: Northborough

I am running my first Boston Marathon on Team Dana-Farber, in honor of my father Mark Leahy.

I decided to commit to this last fall when my father was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer and started receiving radiation treatment at Dana-Farber.

My family, especially my father, is a long time supporter of the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber, in fact he received the Jimmy Fund Alumni Team Captain of the year award this month!

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He is an exceptional person, father, leader, and friend and I am so blessed to have the most amazing parents. I always wanted to run the Boston Marathon, and I finally found my “why.”

Dana-Farber is saving my father’s life, in addition to countless others.

This is my small way to give a very big thank you!

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

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