Four-year-old Violet LeClaire will take part in this year's Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk on Oct. 1. Violet was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor in April 2022. Courtesy photo

MERRIMACK — Nine Merrimack residents will participate in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk on Oct. 1.

Kathleen Fagan, Carol Boulanger, Kelly Boyce, Chrystal Mccaffrey, Denise Burns, Michelle Creswell, Kimberly Stewart, William Sanborn and Kyle Marsden will join thousands of other walkers to participate in the iconic annual event that will unite the community to raise funds to support the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The Jimmy Fund Walk has raised more than $167 million for Dana-Farber since it began 34 years ago. Last year’s event generated a record $8.8 million.

Violet LeClaire, 4, will participate as a Walk Hero in the Jimmy Fund Walk. Heroes are matched with Jimmy Fund Walk teams to give participants an opportunity to connect with patients. Violet was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor and is matched with Toss Out Cancer.

“I like to play with the doctor stuff in the playroom,” said Violet.

“Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund were our backbone during the most difficult time of our lives,” said members of Violet’s family in a written statement. “We are forever grateful for the support they provided our family during Violet’s treatment.”

“Throughout the past 34 years, the Jimmy Fund Walk has continuously supported life-saving research and cancer care at Dana-Farber. The 2023 Walk will be held during the Jimmy Fund’s 75th anniversary year and will aim to raise $9 million in the effort to prevent, treat, and defy cancer,” said Zack Blackburn, director of the Jimmy Fund Walk. “We are eager to get out on the course and see all our outstanding walkers and teams come together to support this great cause.”

The Jimmy Fund Walk is the only organized walk permitted on the famed Boston Marathon course and participants have the flexibility to choose from four distance options: 5K walk (from Dana-Farber’s Longwood Medical Campus), 10K walk (from Newton), Half Marathon walk (from Wellesley) and Marathon walk (from Hopkinton).

Whatever route walkers choose, participants will be treated to 10 refueling stations as well as poster-sized photographs of patients – Jimmy Fund Walk Heroes – displayed at each mile and half-mile marker as inspiration. All four routes of the Jimmy Fund Walk will culminate at the Jimmy Fund Walk Finish Line Powered by Schneider Electric. Due to construction in Copley Square, the Jimmy Fund Walk Finish Line location has been moved to Boston’s Fenway neighborhood. Walkers should know that distances may be slightly shorter as we finish the walk in front of Fenway Park. The finish line will include a celebration complete with food, music and a speaking program.

If walkers wish to participate a bit closer to home, the Jimmy Fund Walk has flexible opportunities. Participants can also join the event virtually by “walking their way” from wherever they are most comfortable in their neighborhood, on a favorite hiking trail, or on a treadmill at home. Materials to support Virtual Walkers are available.

To register to walk or volunteer at the Jimmy Fund Walk, (#JimmyFundWalk) or to support a walker, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call (866) 531-9255. Registrants can enter the promo code NEWS for $5 off the registration fee. All registered walkers will receive a bib, medal and a Jimmy Fund Walk T-shirt.