A flood of people overtook Boston Common on Sunday as they walked and volunteered to fundraise for research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The Common marked the finish line of an annual walking event, known as the Jimmy Fund Walk, which ranged in length from a 5K to a full marathon, bringing together thousands who crossed the finish line in the early afternoon sun, some pushing strollers and some with walking sticks, looking to make a difference. 

This year’s  37th walk consisted of over 1,000 volunteers and more than 9,000 registered walkers. Volunteers were stationed to help the walkers who tackled one of four distances: a 5K, 10K, or half and full marathon, following the route of the Boston Marathon course, which goes from Hopkinton through Wellesley and into Downtown Boston. 

While the day was characterized by a leisurely pace, each participant raced to raise the most money to donate. The walkers are able to form teams among family and friends, collectively accepting donations and funds for the cause while walking the event together, most in matching T-shirts. Since 1989, the Jimmy Fund Walk has raised more than $185 million for cancer research. All donations are sent to the care and research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which is ranked number one worldwide for scientific impact among treatment centers in 2025 by the National Bureau of Economic Research. 

Over 10,000 people were involved in the event, which had a constant flow of people walking throughout the day.

“This event is often looked at across the country as one of the premier participatory fundraising walks. Other organizations study this event and wish that they were as successful,” said Joe Robertson, a Dave McGillivray Sports Enterprises event manager who has been coordinating the walk for over 23 years. 

Robertson said, as a long-time Jimmy Fund volunteer, he has emotional ties to the participants who return each year. He described some walkers that he knew, his voice cracking as he spoke about how some have lost their battle to cancer. 

“It’s a horrible thing to go through,” said Robertson. “But so many people are able to survive now because of the advances in medicine and science, which is a direct result of the money that’s raised by events like this.” 

The event included people of all ages and backgrounds, some attending to support those battling or lost to cancer, while others were survivors themselves.  Upon arrival at the Common, participants were met with bright balloon arches, thundering pop music, and a sense of accomplishment underscored by booming applause and a medal. 

Participants were then ushered to numerous recovery stations with snacks, drinks, and participatory gifts for each individual. As more people finished the race, the Common buzzed with kids throwing frisbees, teams gathering around the various pictures of the cancer patients they walked for, and sharing their stories with the people around them.

The Common was filled with participants sharing stories and commemorating loved ones, each unique, yet universal to the theme of the event. 

“Every year this event rolls around, and it’s just an opportunity to dedicate time to thinking about those that have fought, are fighting, and will fight cancer,” said Shannon Martin, an Emerson alumnus and a participant of the event for 20 years. Martin walks in tribute to her mother, who lost her battle to a glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, in 2005.

Adam Fournier walked with a large group of family and friends in commemoration of his son Billy, who lost his battle with cancer this past Fourth of July at 3 years old. The group managed to raise over $100,000 this past year for Dana-Farber, with Billy’s brother Freeman, an 8-year-old, raising over $30k himself.

Walkers of all stages of their diagnosis, recovery, or connection to Dana-Farber joined together. Tom Richardson, who was undergoing treatment at Dana-Farber just this past summer, completed eight miles of the course while awaiting results of the treatment’s success. 

“I was treated for cancer this summer, so eight miles felt like an accomplishment,” Richardson said. 

One couple, Chris and Mallori Gagnon, two-time Jimmy Fund walkers, said they looked forward to the event every year. They both explained the ripple effects the event produces outside of the day’s fun energy. 

“I look forward to doing it to raise money, raise awareness, but also to see different people. It’s amazing every time you go to the treatment or a follow-up, how many people you know,” said Chris, a first-time walker who recently has entered remission through treatment at Dana-Farber. 

This year’s Jimmy Fund Walk is on track to raise around $9.5 million, with over 9,300 participants and 1,000 volunteers. 

The event raised necessary money to aid Dana-Farber with life-saving cancer research, curated relationships through connecting with others, and formed a community brought together by grief and perseverance. 

“I [had] the best experience ever, from everybody—all my doctors, all the nurses, for just about a year,” said Billie Walsh, a previous patient of Dana-Farber who walked the half-marathon distance.. “And I walk for that, to continue for everybody else that needs the care.”