Running to Beat Cancer: Mass General Cancer Center’s Everyday Amazing Race

Photo credit: Mass General

Under a bright blue sky and with gorgeous late summer weather, almost 1,000 people ran and walked on the Charles River Esplanade for Mass General Cancer Center’s inaugural Everyday Amazing Race on Sunday, September 10.

Through the efforts of many participants and the generosity of sponsors, the Cancer Center raised more than $130,000 in support of their goal of creating a brighter future for cancer patients and their families, at Mass General and beyond. Many members of the Mass General community came together to make the event a memorable day with an outpouring of love and support.

Highlights included New England Patriots player Dion Lewis greeting runners and walkers with a high five as they crossed the finish line, guests partaking in a delicious pancake breakfast provided by the Four Seasons Hotel Boston, and Billy Costa and Jenny Johnson from ESPN’s Dining Playbook awarding prizes to top fundraisers and race finishers.

Daniel A. Haber, MD, PhD, director of the Mass General Cancer Center, gave brief remarks.

“This is a time of huge progress in cancer research. A time of new and better treatments. A time that’s truly amazing for all of us,” Dr. Haber said.

For some participants, the Everyday Amazing Race was their first opportunity to give back to the Cancer Center. After his cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment with immunotherapy at Mass General, Steve Harvey ran the 5K to thank his care team for helping him get back on his feet. An active marathoner and father of four, Steve hopes to inspire other patients who are going through similar experiences.

Erin Murphy was just 27 years old when she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer earlier this year. Each member of her treatment team, from her oncologist to her nurse practitioner to her scheduler, has guided Erin as she navigates this difficult journey. Erin’s friends and family rallied around her to form Team Erin Murphy Strong and raised nearly $20,000.

Proceeds from the Everyday Amazing Race help enable the Mass General Cancer Center to develop new therapies and early detection technologies to continue to help patients like Steve and Erin.

Learn more about this year’s Everyday Amazing Race or email everydayamazingrace@partners.org to get involved in next year’s event. Mass General is seeking both sponsors for the event and volunteers for the committee. Stay tuned for an announcement of the 2018 Everyday Amazing Race date and find more information at massgeneral.org.