‘To celebrate all that Dana-Farber gave to us’

Boston Marathon

Laura Hayward found lifelong friends and family — including her husband — through Dana-Farber.

By Kelly Chan

April 4, 2025 | 5:00 AM

2 minutes 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: Laura Hayward
Age: 44
City/State: Syracuse, New York

In 2005 in Boston, I ran my first ever marathon as part of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team. Through their Patient Partner Program, I met Fiona, who, at 7, was in recovery from a medulloblastoma, diagnosed when she was 22 months old. I forged relationships with Fiona and her family and with a fellow teammate, who, in turn, introduced me to her cousin. In 2007, we married, and Fiona and her family (along with my husband’s matchmaking cousin) were treasured guests at our wedding. To celebrate 20 years of all that Dana-Farber gave to us, my husband’s cousin and I decided to run again. I am honored to be a part of the DFMC team again, having felt proud to run in both 2005 and 2006. 

Because of lifesaving care she received at the Jimmy Fund Clinic, Fiona has grown and matured into an incredible woman. Full circle, she now works as a pediatric resource specialist at Dana-Farber, supporting other children and their families through some of the scariest times of their lives. Her experiences with medulloblastoma and later with thyroid cancer have given her a wealth of compassion and knowledge to share with others.

The 26.2 miles has nothing on the strength of Fiona and so many others who navigate cancer. Running has been my way of connecting with that strength and channeling it back to so many of my beloved friends and family members who have also traversed cancer over the years. 

Fundraising for this incredible organization that provides lifesaving care and breathes life into cancer defeating science has been truly uplifting and motivating. DFMC has given me rich relationships with Fiona, staff, and fellow team members, as well as led to the start of the relationship and family I have created with my husband. We are sharing with our sons how impactful it can be to get involved, one (literal) step at a time, with such a meaningful movement.

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