Kaaren Malgeri

1950 – 2000

 

On Thanksgiving day, 2000, we lost my cousin Kaaren to cancer.  First diagnosed at the age of 19, Kaaren defied all odds and beat it, and went on to fight through multiple recurrences over the next 30 years.  During that time Kaaren was a true inspiration to many people, always kept a positive attitude, and dealt with her personal ordeal with dignity and grace.  Kaaren left behind a devoted husband, Vinnie, and two wonderful children, Kiira and Jameson.

 

On Patriots day 2001, I ran the Boston Marathon in memory of Kaaren and to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

 

Results:

 

I'm sure you've all been hovering over your computers, just waiting for word of how things went this past Monday.  Well, the reason for my delay was not because I was hurting from Mondays run, the reason it took so long to send out the results is because there were so many generous contributions that I had to tally.

 

In todays uncertain economic environment, I felt guilty about sending even a single e-mail message to some friends and colleagues.  The response has been overwhelming, $3422 and counting in donations (pledged and received) with another $1981 in matching funds, for a total of $5403, with some still dribbling in.

 

I sincerely thank you all for your generosity and support.  I am just blown away with the response.  Thank you all so much.

 

As for Monday..

 

Those of you who were watching the weather noticed that in the days leading up to the marathon the predictions were kind of bleak - decent temperatures, but rain.  The first indication that I had someone watching over me came when the weather broke and we ended up with perfect weather - low 50's, slight breeze, not too much sun, etc.

 

I had a shirt made with Kaaren's picture on it, along with a couple of bits of information.  As I ran, I could look down at the image and get a lift whenever I needed it.  There were also many, many times when I would hear her name called out (mis-pronounced, however I knew what the intention was), hearing this over and over helped a lot.

 

Folks, I'm an over weight middle aged guy with bad knees, this is not supposed to be easy for people like me.  Somehow it was - I breezed along with relative ease, and didn't hit my wall until mile 23.  At that point I decided to slow down and walk for a bit, try to regain my strength for the finish.  Just as I slowed a woman stepped out from the crowd and placed her hand on my shoulder, and with her other hand pointed at the picture on my chest.  She said something to the effect of "she was an *amazing* person".  Things got a little bit blurry for me at that point, however there were a few other women there, some who called out Kaarens name, and in hindsight I seem to remember at least one of them pronouncing it correctly.  Who they were, or why they were there, right at the point where I needed them the most, I don't know.  I think they knew Kaaren.

 

At any rate I immediately started running again, although I later regretted not stopping to talk with them.  I was in tears most of the way to the finish line.

 

It took us 4:42 to go from the starting line to the finish line.

 

In something of a sideline to the above, I was running with a younger co-worker, Matt Jucius, and my Marine nephew, Bao Tran.  Although they took off ahead of me, I caught them in the brutal hills at mile 16, at which point en epic battle took place.  Miraculously I won this battle (!), and edged both of them out at the finish line, something with which I continue to torment them to this day.  2002 will provide Matt and Bao their first opportunity for revenge..

 

It was an amazing day, and I'm honored to have had the opportunity to run Boston in memory of Kaaren.  Thank you all again for your support.

 

Sincerely,

 

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