Jimmy Fund Walk Hero Kate shares her patient story to motivate others

Screen shot 2014-09-19 at 2.32.23 PM — Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk Hero Kate Morris and her father share a laugh a Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk cancer fundraising event.

Each year, thousands of walkers and volunteers flood the historic Boston Marathon® route for the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai.

Anyone who has participated in the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk knows that one of the most inspiring parts of the day is the tradition of tapping the photos of the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk Heroes that serve as mile markers along the 26.2 mile route. Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk Heroes are adult and pediatric Dana-Farber patients who volunteer to tell the story of why the money being raised to conquer cancer is so important. The photos of the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk Heroes also help to motivate participants to keep walking. Anyone who walks by mile 10.5 will encounter Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk Hero Kate Morris.

Kate is a first-grader at the Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Last January, Kate was diagnosed with a form of cancer called Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Although she has been going through the ups and downs of treatment, Kate is a lively young girl with a love for pink, purple, and princesses.

I had the chance to meet up with Kate and her mother, Evelyn, while they were getting their nails done for a Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk cancer fundraising event.

Screen shot 2014-09-19 at 2.31.50 PM — Dana-Farber patient Kate gets her nails painted at cancer fundraising event for the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai.

JF: Are you looking forward to the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk?
KM: I am excited to meet my family and friends at the finish line!

JF: Your family team name is Princess Kate’s Royal Court! Who is your favorite princess and why?
KM: Elsa and Anna from Frozen; Elsa because she has ice powers and Anna because she is funny.

JF: What is your favorite subject at school?
KM: I love art!

JF: What do you like to do for fun?
KM: Play with Mama and Daddy, draw, and color with Mama.

Screen shot 2014-09-19 at 2.32.37 PM — Dana-Farber patient Kate Morris is given a special Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk Heroes t-shirt to wear at the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai.

JF: What would you like to be when you grow up?
KM: A chef or a ballerina.

#JimmyFundWalk participants from New England and all over the country will be thinking of Kate and her fellow Walk Heroes during the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai. Look for Kate’s smiling face at mile 10.5 or at the Hyundai Hero Hub in Copley Square located at the finish line.

Comment below to leave some encouraging words for the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk participants taking steps to conquer cancer!

K. Connors
Account Manager/Writer, Development Communications