Naitik Shah is running Boston to ‘conquer cancer’
"Having seen the impact of cancer so closely on families and friends made me realize that there is only one thing that matters and that’s 'A World without Cancer.'"
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 on April 15, 2019.
Name: Naitik Shah
Age: 36
From: Westborough, Massachusetts
Bib #: 25234
I am running to conquer cancer.
I lost my Mom to multiple myeloma on June 3, 2017, less than a year after she was diagnosed with this disease at a young age of 59. My best friend Kushal is battling glioblastoma — stage 4 brain cancer — for almost six years now. Having seen the impact of cancer so closely on families and friends made me realize that there is only one thing that matters and that’s “A World without Cancer.” So on April 15, 2019, in the memory of my Mom, to honor my friend Kushal and many brave people like them who are/were battling cancer, I will be running my very first Boston Marathon for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and raise funds for the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research.
Running 26.2 miles is nothing compared to what my Mom, Kushal, and all the brave people fighting cancer have/are going through. Raising funds to support Barr investigators and help in their critical scientific strides will make this historic journey from Hopkinton to Boston worthwhile. All funds raised — a full 100 percent — will benefit the Claudia Adams Barr Program for Innovative Basic Cancer Research.
Thank you so much for your support! Together we are headed toward the ultimate finish line: “A World without Cancer.”
Please take a look at my page for more information about why I am running and pictures of my Mom, Kushal, family, and friends.
Check out our entire “Why I’m Running” series.
___
Editor’s note: Entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
