TOMORROW: Lucky 13 Boston Marathon Run for Dana-Farber

(Repost of my annual pre-marathon email)

Dear family, friends and colleagues,

Par for the course, it’s past 9pm, and I don’t expect to be ready for bed for at least another two hours. Don’t worry – I did the same thing last year!

Welcome to my annual “night before the marathon, and I’m here to answer all your questions” email. This, like not going to bed on time, has become an annual tradition, and I’ve been pinged all day from folks asking when I was going to “send out the details.”

So, here we go: my annual answers to all your spectating questions!

What I'll be wearing: at the start, likely a light blue running jacket; further along, you'll see this year's singlet (colorful as always, but this year's is mostly orange) over a long-sleeve black shirt. Wellesley College baseball cap. Black capri running pants. For those of you on Facebook, I've posted a picture of this year's shirt.

What is my number: 22681

When the race starts: there are two starts for runners. 10am for the speedsters, 10:30am for the rest of us. Nearly all of the DFMC runners are in the 22000s corral with a 10:30am start.

How will you find me out on the course: Let’s face it: I’ve been in physical therapy since New Year’s and am not expecting this to be the year I set a land-speed record. Slow and steady, hoping my foot holds up. This is what I describe as “directionally correct,” or the earliest time you will find me passing through your neighborhood

Start: 10:30am

5 miles: 11:30am

10 miles: 12:45pm

13.1 miles (halfway mark):1:15pm

15 miles: 2pm

20 miles: 3pm

25 miles: 4pm

finish: 4:15pm

If you are planning to be out on the course, your best bet to seeing me is to let me know where you'll be standing -- it's easier for me to find a spectator than it is for you to find me!

How you can monitor my progress from afar:

• The most official: www.baa.org will have an electronic monitoring system up and running tomorrow morning. Enter my number and watch me truck along.
• Sign up for text messages before 6am on Monday: to get a text message when I pass various points in the race, sign up for the AT&T Athlete alert by either texting the word RUNNER to 31901 (you will receive a response in which you’ll then be directed to enter my bib number – see above) or sign up online at http://registration.baa.org/2010/cf/RegAthleteAlert/pg_AthleteAlert.cfm?mode=preentry&snap=67012610&)
• Far more fun: Tom has set up Twitter on my Blackberry and I’ll be tweeting the entire day away, beginning when he drops me off at 6am for the Somerville Road Runner bus to Hopkinton, then out on the marathon course. Follow me at hkhagerty. For those of you not on Twitter, we’ve set up my account so that it will repost my tweets on Facebook.
• And last, but by no means least: Just call or text me ANYTIME on Monday at 617-699-6914. Seriously, please call! It totally makes my day!

How the fundraising is going: as of tonight, I have raised more than $3,000, 30% toward my twin goals of $10,000 this year and exceeding $100,000 raised throughout my soon-to-be 13 years running for Dana-Farber. Many, many thanks to those of you who have already contributed to my run. If you have not done so and would like to, please visit my website, http://www.racedirectors.com/H/marathon.html. I'll be accepting donations through the end of June and hope to reach $10,000. 100% of your contributions support vital innovative research at Dana-Farber that otherwise would not find funding.

Somerville Journal interview: Last weekend, two BU students from the College of Communication interviewed me and three other Somerville residents about our marathon runs for charity. It was published this weekend - enjoy!

http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerville/features/x43859284/Boston-Marathon-Somerville-runs-for-charity

http://kellieryan.net/BostonMarathon.html

And as always, lots of hugs to my two angels, Brittany and Amber. At this afternoon’s pasta party, I was not only joined by Amber and her entire family, but also by Brittany’s sister, Brianne. I couldn’t have asked for a better kick-off to The Big Run. I’ll be thinking of both families and look forward to meeting Amber at Mile 25, where she’ll join me to finish that final mile.

Time to pack! See you at the finish line!

-H.

*******

Heather Kispert Hagerty

hkispert@alum.wellesley.edu

617.699.6914

Please support my 2010 Boston Marathon run for research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute!

http://www.racedirectors.com/H/marathon.html

2010 Marathon Letter!

Dear family and friends,

I’m sure you’re asking yourself: is she running again? The answer is yes, I’m running….and running late with my annual letter! This Monday, April 19th, I will be running the 114th Boston Marathon as a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team. My 13th year!

I did a tally recently. Over the past twelve years, I have:

• Gone through nearly 30 pairs of sneakers – thank you, Marathon Sports
• Drank so much Gatorade (Riptide Rush, to be exact) that I should have bought stock
• Participated in hundreds of road races and received enough t-shirts that I could probably wear a different one every day for six months and not repeat
• Ran 314 miles between Hopkinton and Boston (that’s 26.2 x 12) and walked it another 2-3 times for good measure through the Jimmy Fund Walk
• Raised more than $90,000 for cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

I stand on the brink: this year, “lucky 13,” I hope to reach 340 miles run and $100,000 raised for Dana-Farber. I hope you will help me!

I am constantly reminded that we now live in an era where all of us will know someone who has battled cancer. I have had the privilege to hear directly from researchers at Dana-Farber about the advances that have been made and how far we have come in treating cancer patients.

I am also reminded how precious our own lives are. Just this winter, both of Tom’s parents were diagnosed with various forms of skin cancer. Thankfully, both have been treated successfully. However, as I look in the mirror, I wonder: did I do enough to prevent skin cancer for myself? I think: it’s likely not a matter of if, but rather a matter of when.

And then I hope: someday, we will not only cure cancer. We will prevent it. This is why I run.

And why, you ask, was this year’s letter so late? I was running well this winter until I ran a half-marathon on Cape Cod and limped away with a painful foot injury. Three doctors, two physical therapists and one MRI later, I finally found a magician who believed in both my body and my cause, enough to tell me that I would toe the line once again. I’ll be there Monday, taped foot and all, ready to break 340 marathon miles. But I need your help to reach $100K.

Please take a few minutes today to support my 12th marathon run. 100% of your tax-deductible donation funds Barr Program researchers at Dana-Farber, ensuring novel approaches in basic cancer research.

With thanks and appreciation,
-Heather

PS: As I have every year, I will be wearing the names of your loved ones, cancer victims and survivors, on my marathon-day singlet to spur me forward. Be sure to email me so I can include them.

Please support my 12th marathon run for cancer research

Dear family and friends,

It’s that time of year: in less than two weeks, on Monday, April 20, I will be running the 113th Boston Marathon as a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team. A dozen years… Who would have guessed when I nervously toed the line in 1998 that I would return year after year to run the granddaddy of all marathons? Certainly not me—the few times I did join friends for a run, it usually both began and ended with me grumbling: the early hour, their far-too-quick pace, an accumulation of blisters from ill-fitting sneakers. What changed? I have been inspired—a dozen times over—by the most amazing young women, waging their own personal marathon against cancer research.

By Brittany Lambert. Brittany was my patient-partner that first year, an amazing teenager who celebrated life as passionately and fearlessly as she faced death. I have remained close to her family and earlier this winter went to a Bruins hockey game with her sister, Brianne. Brianne has grown into a beautiful, self-confident young woman who openly shares her dedication to Dana-Farber. As we reminisced and enjoyed one of Brittany’s favorite pastimes, my mind traveled back in time, recalling nearly verbatim a conversation with Brittany about meeting her favorite Bruin. Brianne now shed new light on that encounter, describing how Brittany had been feeling poorly, but had perked up ten-fold when the opportunity presented itself. Carpe diem, after all. Two incredible sisters, the same conversation, a dozen years apart.

By Amber DaRosa. Six years ago, Amber was diagnosed with leukemia. Although four year-olds are not usually allowed in the patient-partner program, an exception was made because Amber’s parents are high-school friends of Tom’s. She meets me every year at mile 25, and I have had the immense pleasure of watching her evolve into a healthy, cancer-free young lady. The first year, we pushed her in a carriage. The next, I carried her most of the way. The following year, a slow walk. Most recently, she’s been the one pushing and pulling me along that last mile. This winter I joined Amber and her family at a special party for runners and their partners at the Children’s Museum and could not help but wonder at the transformation of this nearly-ten year-old as she easily (and repeatedly) climbed a rock wall. It’s nothing compared to what she’s already survived.

These young women, and their families, inspire me through the miles each year. And they remind me that we still have many miles to go. Please take a few minutes today to support my 12th marathon run. 100% of your tax-deductible donation funds Barr Program researchers at Dana-Farber, ensuring novel approaches in basic cancer research.

With thanks and appreciation,
-Heather

PS: As I have every year, I will be wearing the names of your loved ones, cancer victims and survivors, on my marathon-day singlet to spur me forward. Be sure to email me so I can include them.

General update and news from the front...

A quick and brief update:

As you may have heard, I recently accepted a position at Boston University to return to frontline fundraising. This Friday will be my last day at THD, although I will be staying engaged in the hiring process for my replacement. I'll be taking two weeks off before starting at BU, so expect some massive updates to the blog and our photo page on Shutterfly. I've been writing partial entries over the past two months that need to be finished, so be forewarned, you'll be reading about mischief from weeks ago! Bear with me as I catch up on life!

Our favorite annual laugh for a great cause: Comics Come Home

Last night, Tom and I went to see Comics Come Home, benefiting the Cam Neely Foundation. Now in its 14th year, CCH is apparently the longest running charity comedy show in the nation. I started going in its early years, a year or so before I met Tom. He's gone with me to at least 8 or 9 of the past ten years, so I'd say this is a strong annual tradition.

Neely was one of my favorite players on the Bruins -- #8. A heavy hitter when you needed him to be, he retired far too early in his career after taking a nasty shot that debilitated his already-shaky hip. On the personal front, both of his parents died of cancer in the 1990s, and he and his brother quickly realized that there are not nearly enough resources for families dealing with cancer. The Foundation established the Cam Neely House, a home away from home similar in concept to the Ronald McDonald House. They've been very successful over the years, raising $19M and establishing several different cancer centers in the Boston area, including the most recent addition, the Neely Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the Children's Floating Hospital in Boston, a fantastic hospital at which Tom's nephew was treated years ago.

The show last night was AWESOME -- probably one of the best in a few years. They've decreased the number of acts and lengthened their time on stage. They also got rid of a few all-to-familiar faces, such as Steve Sweeney, whose acts were simply a regurgitation of the previous year's and no longer funny.

Denis Leary is the perennial emcee and steals the show every year. Local boy, swears every other word, and a fantastic singer (here's an old video of The Asshole Song for the uninitiated - -warning, it's pretty off-color and not for little ears to hear!). I'm still laughing at his hilarious story last night about shitting his pants by accident while traveling in Italy with his family. He's irreverent as hell, and took a few minutes to make a very personal and clearly angry statement about the backlash against his upcoming book in which comments he made about autistic families were completely taken out of context and politicized. George W was also a big target this year -- Denis started with a song about how much he'll miss making fun on him.

Jim Breuer was pretty hilarious - Tom and I saw him Friday night at Montien when we had dinner before the Smashing Pumpkins, and yes, he always does look stoned. Lenny Clarke, another Boston boy done well, was simply fantastic -- he's lost a lot of weight, his material is fresh and always taking a jab at Boston politics. Al Madrigal, who co-stars with Jay Moore on a show that I haven't watched, was a pleasant surprise -- his bit was about his new baby and how his world view has changed. My personal favorite was his bit about children who are tethered on leashes. He went over to pat one, the parent said "my child's not a dog," and he responded, "exactly, so why the F*** is he on a leash." Who hasn't wanted to say that!

Tom Shillue and Anthony Clark were both okay -- Clark needs new material. Mike DeStafano got heckled by some jerk in the audience who was promptly escorted out (score 1 for security for acting so quickly!). The show ended with Patrice Oneal who is disgustingly funny - not for the faint of heart!

A new perspective on home ownership: Habitat

Another non-profit I'm doing work with is Habitat for Humanity. Established in the 1970s as a Christian ministry, Habitat has built 300,000 homes across the globe for families in need. Moana and I spent the morning with the development officer for Habitat's New England fundraising, and visited build sites in Dorchester and Newton. This was really a wonderful opportunity and incredibly inspiring to see. Our company is supposed to participate in both a local and international build over the coming year, and I can't wait!

Dorchester site:

The Dorchester project takes place on Blue Hills Avenue. Once a thriving Jewish community, this area has really fallen victim to crime, drugs and a faltering economy. This is a very unusual project for Habitat -- it's larger than normal (multiple buildings, 24 new homes) and will include 2000 square feet of commercial/retail space. Foreclosures run rampant in this area -- we visited several neighborhoods where home after home is boarded up, and on one street, 11 out of the 14 homes have been foreclosed. We visited Building #1 -- I believe Habitat is still in the process of selecting families for this development, and part of the retail space was recently purchased by a local salon owner to create a hairdressing school.. We had a chance to also drive by a series of Habitat homes that were built more than a decade ago -- all of those families still live there and are thriving.

Each unit has a kitchen, living area, bathroom, storage pace and two/three bedrooms. I'm jealous -- there's some serious closet space!

Newton site:

The Newton property came about as part of a bequest from an elderly woman who owned three acres of land in Newton. Part was given to the local conservation department, the other was dedicated to affordable housing. Habitat is building a two-family home from the ground-up. The two families have been chosen. One is a single mother living in public housing, and the others are both pre-school teachers who were getting by living with family. Both have been very active in the build process.

Hobnobbing with New Yorkers...

I've been very fortunate throughout my life to have interesting opportunities come my way through my work, things that I could never afford to do on my own. Several years ago, I chaperoned a travel program on a week-long cruise of the Great Lakes. I've met former Secretary of State Shultz, worked with Nobel prize winners, and have been taken on a private tour of a linear accelerator.

Tonight goes up there as one of the highlights, as I flew down to New York with two colleagues and attended the annual Alzheimer's Association Rita Hayworth Gala at the spectacular Waldorf-Astoria. Amazing event for a wonderful cause. The gala is chaired by Princess Yasmin Aga Kahn, daughter of the late actress Rita Hayworth who battled Alzheimer's Disease in an era when little was known about it. Watching the Princess speak was a special delight -- she is clearly passionate about this cause, yet very uncomfortable in the spotlight. There was something so honest and humble about her.

Tremendous people-watching to be had. Celebrities, gorgeous evening gowns, breathtaking jewels. I only wish I had the nerve to whip my camera out and take pictures to share, but I thought it might be a tad improper!

Networking with women in the non-profit sector

Tonight I attended a networking get-together for Women in Development of Greater Boston. Those of us who work in fundraising in the Boston area are extremely fortunate to have access to such a fantastic network -- New York has the only other WID organization of which I'm aware. Fundraising crosses many industries, from health care to museums, social causes to education, and this has been a great way to learn about other fields in development and, more importantly, the women who are leading them. Having graduated from a women's college, I have developed a deep appreciation for networks like this where you can learn from their career choices and challenges.

It's that time of year again -- DFMC 2009!

Just received the special invitation to join the DFMC 2009 team, made available only to current team members, and filled it out immediately.

One of the application questions asked you to tell something about yourself. My answer made me smile: we're back in Boston, I'm traveling less and not in school, and I'm stepping down from one or two more volunteer activities. Could it be...do I really...have more time to TRAIN with the gang???

Heartbreak Hill, here I come!

PS: If you didn't get a chance to support my 2008 Boston Marathon run yet, this is my not-so-subtle hint that it's not too late! I just learned I can accept donations through the end of September, so if you can make room for a wonderful cause in your budget this month, please consider supporting me!