Why I’m Running: ‘Love, being the primary reason’
George O'Malley is running the 2024 Boston Marathon for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
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: George O’Malley
Age: 74
From: South Yarmouth
My primary motivation for running the marathon as part of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team was the belief that it could get us all closer to “a world without cancer.” That marathon was in 2001 after my brother Joe succumbed to lymphoma. I felt good that we raised over $12,000, but at 51 years old it was time to stop running such grueling distances.
Fast forward to 2013. The bombing incensed many. To show our collective outrage and resilience, I came back to DFMC for 2014 for what I thought would be my final marathon. It was good; I was done.
Prior to the 2015 team applications being published, our daughter Jill Anne was diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer. This changed everything. How could Jill be treated at Dana-Farber while I did nothing? So we agreed that I would run once again. She was excited that she would be at Mile 25, which is the Dana-Farber cheering section. This provided some motivation for her and lots of motivation for me. (Very necessary since my training was almost nonexistent due her care needs.) Unfortunately, Jill died three weeks prior to the race.
Several things allowed me to finish that race and eight subsequent Boston Marathons. Love, being the primary reason. The love of my family, the love of teammates and family, the love, care and compassion of the staff at Dana-Farber and the love of my donors who donated over $250,000. Together, we will “Defy Cancer.”
Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
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