Fitchburg residents to participate in Jimmy Fund Walk

FITCHBURG — Four residents from Fitchburg will participate in the 2026 Jimmy Fund Walk for Dana-Farber on Sunday, Oct. 4.

Margaret Lawler, Scott Mundle, Lindsey Szajner, Deb Powers and Walk Hero Mateo Bonilla-Perez, along with other Fitchburg residents and thousands of other walkers, will participate in the annual event that will unite the community to raise funds to support cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Organizers said that last year marked a milestone, with the walk raising more than $11.2 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and setting the stage for an even greater impact in 2026.

Mateo Bonilla-Perez, 3, will participate as a Walk Hero. Walk Heroes are patients who provide inspiration and motivation to walkers along the course. Heroes are matched with walk teams who walk in their honor. Mateo was diagnosed with leukemia, and he is matched with CFS Inc.

“Mateo loves safari and ocean animals,” his family shared.

“Each year, the walk brings our community together in a powerful way, with people of all ages supporting Dana-Farber’s groundbreaking research and patient care,” said Jessica Abbott, assistant vice president of the Jimmy Fund. “For more than three decades, this event has been a celebration of hope, where every step helps fuel breakthroughs, support patients, and inspire progress.”

The Jimmy Fund Walk for Dana-Farber takes place along the Boston Marathon course. Participants have the flexibility to choose from four distance options ranging from a 5k to a full marathon. Walkers can also participate virtually at a time and location that works for them.

Whatever route participants choose, they will be supported by hundreds of volunteers and treated to refueling stations with refreshments throughout the course. All routes will conclude at the Jimmy Fund Walk for Dana-Farber Finish Line sponsored by Schneider Electric at Boston Common, by the corner of Charles and Beacon Street. Finish line activities will include a celebration with food, entertainment, and more.

To register for the walk or to support a walker, visit JimmyFund.org/Walk or call 866-531-9255. Registrants can enter the promo code NEWS for $5 off the registration fee. All registered walkers will receive a bib, medal and a walk T-shirt. People can also sign up to volunteer on walk day. The walk is sponsored in part by Hyundai.