Winter 2024
By Nichole Bernier
Photography by Steve McLaughlin
The scenic ASICS Falmouth Road Race, winding seven miles along the Cape Cod coast, is one of the most esteemed running events of the summer, with bib numbers highly sought after by global elite racers and local joggers alike. Now in its 52nd year, the race is also a powerful fundraising vehicle for runners making strides toward defying cancer.
On August 18, 352 athletes represented Dana-Farber on the Falmouth route, raising nearly $1 million and adding to the historic achievements of The Dana-Farber Campaign.
One of these runners, Amber Miller, understands cancer from both sides of the infusion chair. As a teen, she was treated in Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic and underwent a bone marrow transplant during her sophomore year of college. Now a nurse practitioner in the Jimmy Fund Clinic, she takes care of children and young adults.
“My own cancer experience and the incredible care I received at Dana-Farber inspired me to help other patients on their cancer journeys,” she said. However, she didn’t expect it to inspire her for another round, this time for breast cancer, shortly after running her first Falmouth Road Race in 2022.
“I underwent chemotherapy, two surgeries, and 30 days of radiation. As a young wife and mom, I was terrified,” she said. “But just like my first experience all those years ago, my care team had a plan for me and provided wisdom and support.” Amber was grateful to be joined by her husband, CJ, for this year’s race.
Dana Finn ran her first Falmouth Road Race this year in honor of her mother, who had a rare form of bile duct cancer 10 years ago. She was inspired to join the effort by her 16-year-old son Nate, who took up running at age 12 during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2024, he has completed four Falmouth Road Races for Dana-Farber.
“I wanted to give back to the institution that gave my mother the best treatment available and treated her with dignity and the utmost compassion,” Dana said. “Spending time with my son working towards a mutual goal is incredibly rewarding.”
Nate was thrilled to have his mom join him this time around. “I’m excited to run and fundraise with my mom in my grandmother’s honor and to support other Dana-Farber patients.”
Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund is the official Legacy Partner of Falmouth’s charity program, Numbers for Nonprofits, which has helped raise more than $71 million for charities since 2000, including more than $11 million for Dana-Farber.