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The one hundred honoree: FireWalkChallenge.org

Donor Story

The one hundred honoree: FireWalkChallenge.org

by
Mass General Giving

On April 8, 2015, five-year-old Harry Burns was diagnosed with ALL leukemia – it was on that day that Harry began the journey of a lifetime with his older brother Benjamin, twin brother Sammy, and his parents, Bryan and Elizabeth, by his side.

Harry began treatment for his leukemia at MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC). When Harry arrived at the hospital, he and his parents were met by Howard Weinstein, MD, chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at MGHfC, and the team that would save Harry’s life.

In April 2016, nearly one year into Harry’s three-year treatment plan, Dr. Weinstein ran his 25th Boston Marathon to raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer research in Harry’s honor. In an effort to support Dr. Weinstein’s efforts, the Burns family created the Fire Walk Challenge in honor of Harry.

Participants of the challenge walk across a path of LEGO® pieces without wearing shoes and challenge others to either do the same or make a contribution to FireWalkChallenge.org. The challenges are videotaped and posted to social media. The FireWalkChallenge.org has raised more than $5,000 to support research and child life services in the pediatric cancer clinic at MGHfC. People from across the country have participated in the challenge, and just like the Mass General Marathon Team, are “Fighting Kids’ Cancer One Step at a Time.”