Taking global steps to conquer cancer at the Jimmy Fund Walk

Team Kroot taking steps to conquer cancer at the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai.
Team Kroot taking steps to conquer cancer at the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai.

Jason Kroot is dedicated to eradicating cancer. After losing his mother to an aggressive cancer in 2008, Jason and his family started “Team Deb” to walk in the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai. When his father was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010, Jason changed the team name to Team Kroot to honor both his parents. Since his father’s death in 2012, Team Kroot has grown tremendously. What began as a team of 10 has grown to a team of nearly 100 passionate walkers. 

Team Deb at the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai.
Team Deb at the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai.

Team Kroot has become its own cancer fighting community. “While the team does bear my name and was started in honor of my parents, our focus is now on our walkers and the people in their lives that are fighting or have lost their respective battles to cancer. We carry a flag with everyone’s name on it and honor those who have been lost by allowing their loved ones to walk with it for a mile or two,” Jason says.

The Kroot family has recruited friends from all over the globe to walk with their team. This globetrotting is possible through the Jimmy Fund Walk’s Virtual Walker program. The program allows people who cannot physically attend the Jimmy Fund Walk each September to raise money for Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund while feeling camaraderie to conquer cancer. Jason’s story resonates within a constellation of people, and members of Team Kroot have walked all around the world, from Boston to Washington DC, Spain, and even Nepal.

“It’s been so touching for me to observe how my family and group of college friends have embraced the weekend and the priority they have made it every year,” Jason says. “Last year, twelve members of Team Kroot organized a walk around the monuments in Washington, DC.”

Members of Team Kroot in Nepal.
Members of Team Kroot in Nepal.

No matter where you are in the world this September 27, keep your eyes peeled for members of Team Kroot walking, carrying their banner, and taking steps toward the ultimate finish line: a world without cancer.

Learn more about how you can become a Jimmy Fund Walk Virtual Walker and take steps to conquer cancer where you live.

Katie Connors
Account Manager/Writer, Development Communications