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. It’s strange how one word can evoke such strong feelings. Anger. Frustration. Helplessness. Throughout the past year, I’ve cycled through these and more as my family has grappled with my dad’s stage four esophageal cancer diagnosis. My dad means the absolute world to me. I owe so much of who I am today to the love and unwavering support he’s always shown me. From as early as I can remember, we bonded over time spent in the backyard, him encouraging me to try any sport we could get our hands on. He rarely missed a practice or game over the six years I played travel soccer regardless of how far the drive. When I ran track my freshman year of high school, I felt like I had found my calling. I decided to run cross country the following season, expecting my dad to be disappointed after all of the years we had invested in playing soccer. Instead, he embraced my newfound passion, rearranging his work schedule to be at every meet in time for the starting gun to go off. Even after I graduated high school and began training for half-marathon road and trail races, he still showed up whenever he could. To this day, I can count on one hand how many races he wasn’t at the finish line. Boston has always been something that I’ve aspired to complete one day far in the future. I’ve talked about this dream with my dad countless times, never imagining the possibility that he wouldn’t be there to cheer me on. That was until his diagnosis flipped our world upside down. The truth is that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. If there’s anything that my family has learned over the past year’s rollercoaster ride of emotions, medical bills, and my dad’s ongoing treatment, it’s that every moment counts. I decided that I wanted to do something to show my dad how much I love him, thank him for his unwavering support of me, and give him something to look forward to when reality feels so heavy. When I decided to chase my dream of running the Boston Marathon in celebration of all that my dad has done for me, fundraising for the Cam Neely Foundation was a no-brainer. This incredible charity provides resources and support to cancer patients and their families, helping them navigate the emotional, financial, and physical challenges of treatment while fostering a sense of community and hope during difficult times. Whether it be a donation, a share, or a positive message, I appreciate any support as I take on this extraordinary opportunity! Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.