Running with the DFMC team has been one of the most incredible experiences in my life thus far. Beyond our personal goals and reasons for running, as a team we endeavor to provide strength and support to those patients and families who have been forever changed by this horrible disease.
Which brings us to the Dubuc family.
In July of 2004, Sandra and John Dubuc were busy adjusting to life as the parents of three boys with newborn Zachary, 4 year old Matty, and 7 year old Christopher, when they received the words no parents ever want to hear. Matty had been diagnosed with Stage IV Hepatoblastoma (liver cancer). This rare form of cancer only affects one in a million children per year, and the Stage IV classification indicated that the cancer had already spread. In Matty's case it had spread to his lungs, brain, and left wrist bone. Matty would endure countless rounds of chemotherapy, a liver transplant, 3 lung surgeries, 2 brain surgeries, and radiation. And when Matty's wrist tumor became more aggressive and showed no response to chemo or radiation, his left arm was amputated from his elbow down. Despite all of this, Matty continued to bravely fight and "Don't Stop Believing" became the family's motto.On November 20, 2006 the Dubuc family was told that there was nothing short of a miracle that would help Matty beat his battle. And on March 25, 2007 - 2 years, 8 months, and 16 days after being diagnosed - Matty went to heaven peacefully in his sleep.
Matty Dubuc - our team's bravest angel
Sandra and her family turned their grief into action, working to ensure that Matty is never forgotten and to help us get closer to the day that no family will ever have to endure what they have had to. Sandra first discovered the DFMC team when she ran the marathon the year after Matty passed, and since that time she has remained closely involved by volunteering at water stops a few times throughout the season and sharing Matty's story with each year's DFMC team.
However, this year Sandra decided to do things a little differently and signed up to man a water station each and every week during our training season. Every Saturday Sandra would be out on our routes braving the record setting temps and snowfall to cheer us on. Every week the water station had a different theme and many honored Matty's favorite things - Spongebob and the color blue among them. And each week Matty was there smiling and reminding us why we run.
All of our DFMC volunteers are truly special and amazing- their dedication is astounding. But reaching Sandra's water stop each week was something I can't quite put into words. Each week's theme would make you smile, and Sandra's never-ending energy and her reason for being there would give you that extra burst of strength you needed to turn around and tackle the Newton hills one more time. I honestly do not know if I would have made it through this winter's training without her energy and encouragement!
And so this past week on Matty's Angelversary, we all did what we could to return the favor to Sandra and her family. To honor Matty with his favorite things such as eating Starburst or watching Spongebob, posting pictures of support, wearing blue, and showing the Dubuc family that this special boy will NEVER be forgotten. And then my teammates Steve and Kerry - who wear their blue "Team Matty" shirts every week and run in honor of Matty - came up with something truly amazing.
Before all of our group runs this season, the DFMC crew would share an impact statement or have a special guest speak to us about their experience with cancer and Dana-Farber. As this past Saturday's run would be our longest of long runs (20-22 miles) before we taper in the last few weeks before the marathon, Sandra was once again invited to give the pre-run motivational speech to the team as she has done in years past.
Only this time, Steve and Kerry had a surprise and had secured 150 "Team Matty" blue t-shirts for our team to wear in honor of Matty and the Dubuc family. As each of us checked in for the run, we discretely took our shirts and snuck off to the locker rooms to put them on underneath our jackets, etc. We would wait for the signal after Sandra's speech to surprise her.
If they say a picture is worth a thousand words, well then this video is priceless. THIS is what it is all about, and I know Matty is smiling down on us along with so many other special angels up above - and we run for all of you. And we will keep on running until we reach that ultimate finish line and world without cancer.
One of my favorite pictures of Sandra from this season.
The theme was "National Margarita Day"
The theme was "National Margarita Day"
You can learn more about Matty's story HERE