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‘There are no words to describe the hope’: Why Susan Morse is running for Dana-Farber

"We have all been touched by cancer too many times in our lives. There are too many of us in this fight."

April 18, 2022

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: Susan Morse
Age: 45
From: Winchester

Christine Saleeba is running her first marathon for Dana-Farber

I am running the 2022 Boston Marathon with the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team to help fund cancer research and hopefully get closer to a cure for all cancers, including rare cancers.

I was diagnosed in May 2020 with a rare salivary gland cancer called adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). I am a runner and felt completely fine so this was a huge shock to me, my husband, and our three beautiful girls (now 15, 13, and 7 years old).

I was treated with radiation and chemotherapy for my primary tumor and then, in May 2021, I was referred to Dana-Farber for a phase 1 clinical trial that I was eligible for.

Every eight weeks, when we meet with our brilliant oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we learn of new trials and new potential therapies. My list of potential treatment options has grown with each visit. There are no words to describe the hope that gives us.

The trial I am currently on is stabilizing my tumors. We are ecstatic and also comforted that there are more options when we need them.

Funding cancer research really makes a difference. We see it and benefit from it every time we step into Dana-Farber.

Monday, April 18 will be filled with excitement, nerves, emotions, memories and a lot of HOPE. I will be running next to my best friend, Kim Jamieson who is running in honor of her dad John Brandeis.

We have all been touched by cancer too many times in our lives. There are too many of us in this fight. I will be thinking of everyone currently in treatment, particularly Dave’s cousin who was recently diagnosed and currently in treatment at Dana-Farber, those we have lost and those who may be diagnosed every step of the way – all 26.2 miles of them!

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