In memory of his mother, Lynnfield resident Morgan Jennings is participating in the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge, which raises money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He will run the Boston Marathon in 2026; in the meantime, he is training and fundraising through the Jimmy Fund’s Marathon Challenge website to promote and keep track of his goal of raising $15,000 for DFCI.
Jennings’ mother passed away in 2023 after fighting colon cancer for seven years. She was originally only given a 6-12 month survival timeline, but “with the help of her doctors and some aggressive treatments,” she “fought hard and survived a a lot longer than anyone expected,” Jennings said.
“The effects of the cancer and some of the treatments were really brutal, but she never quit fighting,” Jennings added.
He went on to say that the money raised is going to be used to fund “scientists who are working on the next breakthrough to help cure or significantly improve the quality of life for cancer patients” through the Claudia Adams Barr Program at DFCI. The Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research plays “an essential role in the development of early-career scientists who work on a broad range of research investigations that yield new clues about cancer,” according to its website.
Jennings has been running for 20 years. He has run other marathons, but this will be the first time he runs the Boston Marathon. He will be training over the next few months and said, “I’d like to thank my wife, Sam, for her support as I regularly disappear for hours on end running around Lynnfield getting ready for the race”.
He also made it clear how treatable colon cancer can be if caught early. His mother was originally diagnosed at stage 4, but he said if its caught in the earlier stages, it “is often very treatable.” He added, “Please talk to your doctors and get screened when the time is right.”
Jennings said, “Dana Farber is world renowned for cancer treatment, and it’s right here in our state. I know that the money raised will be used to its fullest, to help ensure people like my mom have a better chance at beating the disease.”
His goal is to raise $15,000 in his mother’s honor. To add your support, visit danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/Morgan_Jennings to learn more.
