March 3, 2004
Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk Raises $4.4 Million
BOSTON — The 2003 Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk, which took place in September, raised $4.4 million for cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. More than 6,100 participants received medals after completing either the full 26.2 miles or 13.1 miles of the famous Boston Marathon route.
This amount marked an increase of $185 raised per person from the previous year. The average walker in 2003 raised $710 compared to $525 in the 2002 Walk.
Though training and preparation are important to complete this event, the time and commitment spent raising money for the Jimmy Fund is what makes these walkers so special. Participants took advantage of new online fundraising tools that proved to be very effective and efficient.
"As a long-time participant in this event, I know the Walk is challenging," says Jimmy Fund Chairman Mike Andrews. "The dedication and effort of all involved, both as walkers and as fundraisers, made this the most successful Walk ever."
More than $31 million has been raised for the Jimmy Fund since the Walk's inception 15 years ago. Many walk to honor friends and relatives affected by cancer. The Jimmy Fund's contributors enable Dana-Farber's physicians and researchers to do the work necessary to raise the chances of survival for cancer patients here and around the world.
In 2004, the 16th annual Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk is slated for Sept. 19. More than 6,500 people are expected to take to the streets between Hopkinton and Boston, walking up to 26.2 miles to raise money to fight cancer.
Walkers may choose to walk the entire official Boston Athletic Association marathon route from Hopkinton to Boston, or the 13.1-mile half marathon route from Wellesley. Patients and their families will take part in the 3-mile Patient Walk, from the Harvard Medical School Quad in Boston.
Registration for the 2004 Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk opens May 1.
