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Natick - Local Town Pages

Natick Resident Participated In Jimmy Fund Walk

Natick resident, Leo Gleason, participated in the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai in honor of his family, sister, wife, and himself. He is dedicated to fundraising for cancer research because the disease has significantly impacted his life, including his diagnosis. 
 In 2000, Leo began participating in the Jimmy Fund Walk. This will be his 17th Walk this year. He will join Walk Hero, Ellie Levine, to walk the Boston Marathon course and raise funds for cancer research. Leo expresses excitement about walking to Dana-Farber, looking up to the walkway and seeing the young patients holding signs and thanking the walkers. 
 Every walk, Gleason looks forward to the camaraderie and chance to meet new people and hear about their experiences. “The walk is a fantastic outpouring of people walking for the same reason, to cure cancer,” he said. He is inspired by everyone’s shared dedication to the cause.             
 The 2022 Jimmy Fund Walk took place on Sunday, Oct. 2, and raised funds to support all forms of adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at the nation’s premier cancer center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Whether participating for themselves, loved ones, neighbors, or co-workers, each walker shares a common purpose: to defy cancer and support breakthroughs that will benefit cancer patients around the world.  
 This year, participants will return to the Boston Marathon course after two years of walking virtually. Participants choose from four distance options: 5K Walk (3.1 miles from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute), 10K Walk (6.2 miles from Newton), Half Marathon Walk (13.1 miles from Wellesley), or Marathon Walk (26.2 miles from Hopkinton). All routes finish at the Copley Square Finish Line. Walkers can also participate virtually by “walking their way” from wherever they are most comfortable—whether that be in their neighborhood, on a favorite hiking trail, or on a treadmill at home.  
 The Jimmy Fund Walk has raised more than $160 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in its 34-year history.