Everyone has a story of why they want to participate in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai. Here are the stories of two Canton residents.

She's doubly grateful

Shannon Whalen, of Canton, knows the importance of getting good medical treatment.

As a child of two cancer survivors who both received treatment at Dana-Farber, this was the best way I could give back, stated Whalen, who will participate in the walk in honor of her parents.

Whalens father was diagnosed with leukemia when she was a newborn. He underwent a stem cell transplant and chemotherapy as she grew into a child.

After years of tough times, hospitalizations, doctors appointments, hair loss, and no appetite, he has been in remission for 15 years thanks to the amazing doctors and oncologists at Dana-Farber, Whalen wrote.

But while the family thought they were finally in the clear, her mother was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer almost 10 years later.

"Finding comfort in the outstanding care my dad received at Dana-Farber, we took her to the exact same place without a doubt that it would be the best decision, Whalen wrote. "My parents, myself, and our family are extremely lucky to have had access to the worlds best cancer center in our backyard. This accessibility allows me to say that they are both survivors and that we can continue to live our lives as a whole, happy family.

"...I have friends, family, and coworkers whose connections to cancer are devastating, which is why I have become so adamant about walking and fundraising for the Jimmy Fund Walk. I want to not only express my gratitude for their state-of-the-art care, but to help contribute to funding that will hopefully one day find a cure so that more people have the privilege to say they are a relative or friend of a survivor.

Whalen is a part of Team Tara which hopes to raise $100,000 this year. Over the years, the team has surpassed the $1 million mark.

Full effort for a quarter-century

Jim Maltz, of Canton, has been walking in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk for 25 years. He first started to walk because he wanted to help Dana-Farber.

Maltz y walks for team Marching For Michael. He became involved with this team by serendipity. He ended up meeting Michaels father at the gym. Michaels father noticed that Maltz was wearing his Jimmy Fund Walk shirt and they began to talk. Maltz learned that Michael was treated at the Jimmy Fund from age six to nine. Maltz joined their team and was able to watch Michael grow and heal. Michael is now a freshman in college.

He is now taller than me, Maltz wrote. He towers over me.

His favorite part about the walk is at the finish line where he sees everyone hugging and being happy.

Knowing that all of the money raised goes directly to research is big for me, Maltz wrote. Its a good cause."

The Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk raises the most money of any single day walk in the country.

The walk, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 4, has raised more than $145 million in its more than 30-year history. Every dollar raised helps patients at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

To register, support a walker or volunteer, visit http://www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call 866-531-9255. Registrants can enter the promo code NEWS for $5 off the registration fee. Walkers can walk any of the four distance options.

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Canton woman, man have stories to tell about cancer survivors - Wicked Local Canton