Belmont’s Paul Firth Running 2014 Boston Marathon for Children with Cancer and Their Families

The following was submitted by Paul Firth, of Belmont.

Name: Paul Firth

Age: 46

Goal: To raise $10,000

Reason for running: Why run? In 2014, I am extremely lucky to be running the Boston Marathon again - not only for the good fortune to cover this legendary distance, but also for the privilege of raising money to support children and their families, as they too run the marathon of cancer treatment.

Why run? Curing cancer often involves a long and arduous treatment path - invasive surgery, toxic chemotherapy and repeated radiation. For adults this is bad enough; for children, many of who are too young to comprehend what is happening, it is even worse - and for the families who are forced to watch their son or daughter go through this marathon, it is a course of endurance.

The money raised goes to supporting the non-medical needs of the families and patients as they too run the marathon of cancer treatment. While we often focus on the medical and surgical treatment, we sometimes forget the burden parents, brothers and sisters bear as well. Surviving and beating cancer is more than simply ridding the body of tumor - and this money goes towards this terrific cause.

Fundraising link: http://www.crowdrise.com/mgh2014bostonmarathon/fundraiser/paulfirth