Suitter walks for Jimmy Fund cause

Though he didn’t want to run, Paul Suitter, son of Heidi Pratt and Tim Suitter, discovered he could do the Boston Marathon, but at a slower pace.
Suitter participated in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk recently. The Jimmy Fund Walk supports Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s mission to conquer cancer.
    “I originally wanted to do the walk because I wanted to walk the route of the Boston Marathon,” he admitted. “But I got really interested in it because of the Jimmy Fund’s history of researching and treating both pediatric and other forms of cancer.”
Walkers choose from one of four route options designed for everyone from the marathon enthusiast to the youngest walker. There is also a virtual Walker option for those who can’t make it to the event.
“Since I live in Boston, I figured that I can at least do my part by trying to raise money and help to fight cancer on the other side of the battle,” Suitter said. “One of the most impressive things that day was seeing the faces (in photos and in person) of all of the people who have been affected both directly and indirectly from cancer.”
The Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai is a one-day event uniting thousands of walkers, sponsors and volunteers for one mission. Participating in this year’s walk were 8,500 walkers, 900 volunteers, nearly 400 Dana-Farber employees and 28 sponsors.
According to Suitter, the organizers of the event said that as of the day of the walk, more than 8,700 people had helped to raise more than $8 million to help with research and treatment with more contributions coming in.
“I raised a little over $400,” he added.
Suitter noted he didn’t do anything “out of the ordinary” to train. He went to the gym for an hour or two a day.
“That definitely helped a lot,” he said.
About five miles into the walk, Suitter was stung by a bee.
“That hurt like crazy,” he said. “But after a few hours (mile 20 or so) the pain pretty much went away,” but the sore muscles began to take its place at mile 24.
“The walk itself was great,” Suitter said. “I pretty much limped the last mile to the finish line. After I got back to my apartment, I sat on the couch and couldn’t really move for a couple of hours.”
Suitter was back teaching the next day and midweek, “I pretty much felt fine,” he said.
Though the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk is held in Boston, Suitter drew upon his upbringing to appreciate the experience.
“One of the things I have always been most proud about being from a small town is that when some sort of tragedy hits (like a cancer diagnosis), the community steps up and helps the person out,” he said.
At mile 23, Suitter got a “pick-me up” when his mother met him and walked the rest of the way (3.2 miles) together to the finish line.