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A public library is more than a building full of books, said senior Charlie Coughlin, it’s a space where “anyone, regardless of background, can access knowledge, opportunity, and community.” Coughlin is one of two Eagles raising money to support the Boston Public Library Fund, which helps expand programs, services, and collections for all Bostonians.

For many families affected by cancer, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute represents hope and community. Grace Connolly ’28 has watched her mother battle multiple myeloma for most of her life, and in 2022, her father received a diagnosis of large B-cell non-hodgkins lymphoma. "Without Dana-Farber, my parents would never have seen me go to prom, graduate high school, or be accepted to college,” she said. “Being a part of this marathon team is truly the greatest honor of my life.” 

Raising funds for the Herren Project, which supports individuals and families impacted by addiction, has allowed Dana Niland ’17, M.Ed. ’20 to turn the tragic loss of her brother, Sean, into an opportunity to uplift others and destigmatize substance use disorders. “I’m proud to run each mile of the marathon for each of my brother’s 26 years of life,” she said. "I'm inspired by the force of willpower that drove him to try again and again to fight addiction, and by the strength of all those in recovery.”

Expanding access to sports—whether it’s through skating scholarships or mentoring programs—is what’s motivating these six Eagles on long run days. “Sports taught me how to work hard, be a good teammate, lose with grace, and stay humble in success,” said Tommy Ribaudo ’26. “Every child deserves the same chance to learn those lessons.”

As a pre-med student, Merideth Greene ’26 has studied how environmental exposures can shape health outcomes. “It is heartbreaking to learn that over 70% of firefighters die from cancer, often linked to the very acts of service that keep the public safe,” she said. Her marathon charity, Last Call Foundation, provides funding, research, and advocacy to improve the physical and mental health of the firefighting community.

Seventeen Eagles are racing in support of world-class Boston hospitals like Mass General, Tufts Medical Center, and Boston Children's, as well as organizations providing life-changing services to patients suffering from paralysis, stroke, and heart disease. “This cause is especially close to my heart not only as a healthcare provider and future Army officer, but as someone who has seen firsthand the role that MGH plays in the city's largest emergencies,” said Margot Sonia ’26. “Boston is my home, and MGH is right at its heart.”