The RACE Cancer Foundation produces events to promote health and wellness in the community, reducing the risk of cancer while raising funds and awareness for organizations dedicated to fighting cancer. Their programs create opportunities to reduce and detect cancer through education, prevention and screening measures.
In early 2008, J. Alain Ferry was inspired to honor Rosemary, a friend’s mother battling Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He organized Super Sunday, a race which raised money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Sadly, Rosemary passed away six weeks after the race. Having lost his own father to multiple myeloma, Alain was determined to fight back. With the help of Boston’s vibrant running community, Run Against Cancer Events (RACE) was born.
What started as a small race to honor Rosemary has grown into one of New England’s most popular running events, attracting thousands of runners to Kendall Square each February. Now known as RACE Cancer Foundation, the organization produces several races in Boston with 100% of the funds raised going to charity.
In addition, RACE’s Sunscreen Squad brings free sunscreen dispensers to outdoor events across New England, preventing thousands of sunburns at races, music festivals and sporting events. Later this year, the foundation will launch a new initiative aimed at helping massage therapists recognize potential skin cancers and how to discuss their concerns with their clients.
Erica Rife has known the founders of RACE since 2011. “Alain and Kathleen Ferry are the hardest-working people I know, fueled by a passion for fighting cancer and a love for running. With a small-but-mighty team, they put together some of the biggest non-profit events in the greater New England area with high energy and good hearts.”
