Local to run Boston Marathon in support of MassGeneral Hospital

March 27, 2019 | Sarah Heinonen
sarah@thereminder.com

Jonathan Jasak, 39, of Longmeadow.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen

LONGMEADOW – At the age of 21, Jonathon Jasak of Longmeadow, developed neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer usually seen in infants and children. He was treated at the MassGeneral Hospital (MGH) for Children’s Division of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology.

“It’s a kid’s cancer, so that’s where I was treated, even though I was an adult,” said Jasak, now 39, and a correctional officer for the Hampden County Sheriffs Department. Jasak underwent a nine-hour surgery, six months of chemotherapy, and two months of radiation at MassGeneral. Since then, he has been cancer-free.

“Probably, if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here,” Jasak said.

Jasak decided he wanted to give back, so he joined the MassGeneral Pediatric Cancer Team in running the 2019 Boston Marathon.

“My wife said when I turned 40, I could run a marathon,” said Jasak. His 40th birthday is two weeks after the race.

The  Pediatric Cancer Team raises money for the pediatric hematology-oncology program. The program treats children with cancers and disorders of the blood.

“The Pediatric Oncology Program has expertise in treating leukemias, lymphomas, common solid tumors of childhood, neuroblastoma, bone and soft tissue sarcomas, retinoblastoma, and brain tumors,” states the hospital’s website.

Jasak has committed to raising $6,500, of which he has collected $3,500. He has been hosting small fundraisers, such as collecting bottles and cans, a raffle, and a football square. However, his major means of fundraising is a clothing drive. Jasak collects clothing donations and is paid by FUNDrive, a program run by the thrift store chain, Savers, that helps non-profits raise money. Savers pays Jasak per pound of donations. He is hoping to collect 100 to 150 garbage bags of clothing.

Jasak has raised money for cancer before. For 14 years, he and friends have participated in the Pan–Mass Challenge (PMC), a bike–a–thon that raises money for the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute. He said he has raised over $500,000 over the years for the PMC.

Although Jasak has been a runner since high school, he has had to train for the marathon with relatively shorter runs throughout the week and longer runs during the weekend. Jasak said he has been training by himself since he works odd hours, but this weekend he and the MGH team of 75 people ran from Hopkinton to Newton in a dry run for the marathon on April 15.

“There’s a wide variety of people on the team,” Jasak said. “Parents of patients,  survivors, healthcare providers, and a lot of people who just want to give back.”

If people are interested in donating to Jasak’s clothes drive, he can be reached by email at jonathonjasak@gmail.com or they can donate directly at www.crowdrise.com/Jonathonjasak.

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