GREATER SPRINGFIELD – Nine-thousand people, four routes, one cause.

On Sept. 22, participants from around the region will walk in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, which raises the most money of any single day walk in the country. The funds raised by the walk “will support adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at the nation’s premier cancer center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,” the Jimmy Fund said in a press release.

“The Boston Marathon  Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai gives participants the opportunity to personally support breakthroughs in cancer care and research at the renowned Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,” said Zack Blackburn, director of the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. “Every step taken in walking and fundraising in our 30-plus year history is a step forward in the journey to conquer cancer.” The walk has raised over $135 million over the past 30 years.

Longmeadow residents Ginny Levsky, William Packard, Lori Polep, Susan Kline, Pam Chandler, Reva Kleppel, Betsy Bertuzzi, Cynthia Harris, and Andrea Goldstein, as well as, Jenna Phelan, of East Longmeadow; and Agawam residents Sue Smith, Jenna Grasso, Mary Grasso, Allison Torres, and Melissa Blackak, will all be walking in the Jimmy Fund Walk.

Mother-daughter team Mary and Jenna Grasso have made the Jimmy Fund Walk a tradition.

“This will be my fourth year walking and Jenna’s third,” said Mary. “The first year I walked, both of my in-laws had passed early that year, 24 days apart, to cancer. This year Jenna and I are walking in memory of Justin Lingenberg. He was a classmate of Jenna’s. It means a little more this year because [Dana Farber] tried to help Justin. It’s always emotional but this year will definitely be a lot more. We walk the half marathon route. It’s always an awesome experience.”

The Grassos are just a couple of the many people who walk in memory of lost loved ones.

“I've seen many friends lose their children to cancer,” Bertuzzi said. Her mother also battled cancer twice. After a bout of breast cancer many years ago, her mother celebrated 50 years in remission, before losing her life to lung cancer in 1993.

Bertuzzi has walked four times over the past seven years, though she has taken three years off after having foot surgery.

“I have very good friends who formed a team and were good at recruiting,” Bertuzzi said. She runs with Amy's Admirers/Webber's Warriors team.

The last time she participated in the walk she raised over $2,000. This year, she is just shy of the $1,500 mark, although there are two weeks left until the walk.

Each adult walker will have raised at least $325. Walkers 12-years-old and younger have raised at least $125. There are fundraising goals, such as “Pacesetter” who raise $1,500 or more for adults or $500 or more for those 12-years-old and younger. For those who can’t physically attend the walk, there is a “Virtual Walker” option.

There are four route options from which the runners can choose. The 5K Walk (3.1 miles) leaves from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at 1:45 p.m. The 10K Walk (6.2 miles) starts in Newton with a rolling start from 10 a.m. to noon. The Half Marathon Walk (13.1 miles) kicks off from Wellesley with a rolling start from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Finally, the full Marathon Walk (26.2 miles) begins in Hopkinton with a rolling start from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.

Both Bertuzzi and the Grassos are walking the half-marathon route. Along the routes will be 12 refueling stations and poster-sized photographs of “Walk Heroes” to inspire walkers.

All distance options end at the Copley Square Finish Line, where participants will be cheered on as they cross the finish line. After, there will be a celebration that will feature inspiring speakers, games, music, food, and other fun activities. Walkers will receive a commemorative 2019 Jimmy Fund Walk medal.

To register for the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk (#JimmyFundWalk), to support a walker, or to volunteer, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call (866) 531-9255. Enter the promo code NEWS for $5 off the registration fee. Solo walkers who would prefer to walk with a team can contact the Jimmy Fund Walk to connect them with other walkers in their area.