Making miracles happen with the BAA marathon
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(left to right) Elizabeth Fanning, Lisa Nettis, Laurie Cecchi and Michelle Cecchi will be running this year's Boston Athletic Association Half Marathon as "Team Tom" in honor of Tom Cosenzi. Reminder Publications submitted photo
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By Katelyn Gendron
Reminder Assistant Editor
Last week Tom Cosenzi of Hampden spoke to Reminder Publications as he waited to see his oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, where he receives treatment every two weeks for glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor.
During that same week four dedicated women, three from Agawam and one from Springfield, were in their final stages of training for the Boston Athletic Association Half Marathon on Oct. 7. The event raises money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Laurie and Michelle Cecchi, Elizabeth Fanning and Lisa Nettis decided to run the half marathon this year as "Team Tom," in honor of Cosenzi.
When asked what it meant to have the women running in his name he spoke sincerely, "I feel honored," he said. "It's not really what it means to me but what it means to Dana-Farber. But more than that it's what [the funds] really go toward the research and all the good that Dana-Farber does for everybody."
Cosenzi said he receives chemotherapy and experimental intravenous drug treatment for four hours every two weeks at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
He has also underwent surgery to remove part of the tumor and radiation since his diagnosis in February of this year.
"Given the circumstances I am thrilled to feel as good as I do," he said.
This will be Nettis' second year running in the B.A.A. Half Marathon, as she, Laurie and Michelle ran last year in honor of Judy Basile and Geri Cimmino, twin sisters diagnosed with breast cancer.
This year they will be running 13.1 miles in honor of Cosenzi, Nettis' cousin-in-law.
"As a team, it's our way to give back and to help those in need," Nettis said. "We are raising money for such a great cause."
In order to participate in the race, each team member must raise a minimum of $500.
"Total, we are raising $2,000 going to research and that's what motivates us to get up at 6 a.m. and run," Nettis said.
She added that the team trains together three to four times per week in Forest Park. They run five to seven miles during the week and 10 to 13 miles on the weekends.
Fanning will be running the half marathon for the first time this year. She said the training with "Team Tom" has been inspirational and motivational. She added that she is running not only because of her love for the sport but to set a positive example for her four children.
"I just feel that if you believe in something, a cause that's dear to you, it has a dual purpose and can be inspirational to other people and children," she said.
For Nettis and the Cecchis, who have run the half marathon before, the last mile is the most difficult to run, but this year Cosenzi will be there to help. He said he will be walking or running mile 12 to 13 depending on how he is feeling.
"The last mile will be very humbling and moving for me," Laurie said. "To see that people can overcome these kinds of devastating illnesses and stand in the face of incredible pain and sacrifice, I am very blessed to be able to contribute in some way. It's really about being a part of a bigger community."
Michelle said her motivation is constant from the first to the final mile of the race as she sees all those who have been affected by cancerous diseases standing on the sidelines in support of a common goal to find treatments and cures.
"I see people in need all of the time for fundraising, research and state-of-the-art interventions," Laurie said. "Without grassroots organizations like this there would not be the research and help that's out there today."
More specifically, organizations such as the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute which provide specialized care for children and adults through state-of-the-art treatments and experimental medicines Angela Cosenzi, Tom's wife, said are places that she and her husband wouldn't know how to live without.
But Angela said it's not just Dana-Farber but also family members, friends and "Team Tom" that help in her husband's fight against glioblastoma.
"I don't even know what to say," she said. "I feel so happy to have them running for Tom and for research. When you are going through this you need people like them."
She added that although "life has been crazy," her family remains "positive and strong, living for now and hoping for the best."
For more information on the B.A.A. Half Marathon go to www.bostonmarathon.org/HalfMarathon. For more information on the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute go to www.dana-farber.org.
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