We are excited to introduce our four runners on Team Make-A-Wish for the 126th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 18. They are hard at work training and working toward their collective goal of raising $40,000 to help make wishes comes true for children with critical illnesses. Each member of this small but powerful team is connected to Make-A-Wish in their own unique and meaningful way.

Click here to donate to the team

Special thanks to John Hancock for providing us with this opportunity through the John Hancock Non-Profit Program.

MEET OUR 2022 TEAM MAKE-A-WISH MEMBERS:

• Marisa Barone-Fenn is an ER and Oncology nurse at Sister Caritas Cancer Center and Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, MA. She first heard about us through her colleague, Dr. Philip Glynn, the Director of Oncology at Mercy Hospital and a member of our Board of Directors. Dr. Glynn encouraged Marisa to run the marathon for Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Marisa will run for Team Make-A-Wish in memory of her friend Ryan, a wish recipient who passed away from cancer two years ago. She says seeing the memories and positive impact his wish, a vacation, had left on his family and loved ones encourages her to run and raise money to grant more wishes. This will be Marisa’s fourth marathon experience. To get her through training, Marisa's 3-year-old son and patients are her motivation to stay dedicated to crossing that finish line. Donate to Marisa’s runner page here https://bit.ly/3MIynbg. 
   
• Michael Bertolino was introduced to our organization through Bertolino Foods, a company that has been in his family for over 60 years. Last year, Bertolino Foods generously sponsored our Make-A-Wish golf tournament and this year, will be sponsoring various Make-A-Wish events. As a father of two, Michael is excited to be running the 126th Boston Marathon with Team Make-A-Wish to further his family’s philanthropic efforts to support our wish children and their families. Donate to Michael’s fundraising here https://bit.ly/3MMygLT 
   
• Paul McCarron is a Boston native and longtime Make-A-Wish volunteer who has spent over 30 years helping grant life-changing wishes. Paul has run 34 official marathons with 24 consecutives for the Boston Marathon. He is excited to run Boston with Team Make-A-Wish after many years of participation in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program and is committed to helping others through his love of running. Paul has seen the positive impact of the Make-A-Wish mission firsthand and wants to continue to spread joy for wish kids. When he isn’t running marathons, he remains busy coaching the ski, cross country, and track and field teams at Thayer Academy in Braintree, MA. Donate to Paul’s fundraising here: https://bit.ly/36lAHo5
   
• Matt Oliveira received his wish for a Caribbean cruise in 2009 when he was 16. Born with cystic fibrosis, his Caribbean wish was the start of his travel adventures and since then, he hasn't let his challenging medical journey stop him from seeing the world. As a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines, Matt has gotten to experience new places and meet people from many different countries. Over the years, he has become quite the adventurer with his love of travel and skydiving. In his down time, Matt makes fun videos on social media in hopes of inspiring people to live their best lives. Matt is excited to pay it forward to our organization, inspire other wish kids, and help grant wishes for future wish children. Donate to Matt’s fundraising page here: https://bit.ly/3Jo6nYg