This NU student is running Boston with her cancer researcher dad

Boston Marathon

“My dad developed Gleevec, a life-saving medication that has changed more than a million lives.”

By Annie Jonas

April 8, 2025 | 3:00 PM

1 minute to read

In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon athletes share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston. Looking for more race day content? Sign up for Boston.com’s pop-up Boston Marathon newsletter.

Name: Julia Druker
Age: 22
From: Portland, Oregon

I am a senior at Northeastern University and graduating in May. I am running the Boston Marathon with my father, Brian Druker. 

My father and I are running for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), a nonprofit dedicated to advancing blood cancer research. With the help of LLS supporting his research, my dad developed Gleevec, a life-saving medication that has changed more than a million lives of people diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML).

I have been running with my dad since I was 9 months old, although then he was pushing me in a jogging stroller. I was just along for the ride. Running the Boston Marathon has been one of his lifelong dreams. I am incredibly honored to be his running partner. 

This marathon represents something special for both of us. For my dad, it’s the culmination of years of dedication to cancer research. For me, it’s a chance to celebrate his lifelong commitment to blood cancer treatment while continuing a tradition we’ve shared. 

As I prepare to graduate from Northeastern, running through the streets of Boston with my dad for such a meaningful cause feels like the perfect way to honor our journey together and the remarkable work that LLS continues to support.

Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.

Annie Jonas is a Community writer at Boston.com. She was previously a local editor at Patch and a freelancer at the Financial Times.