Malden dentist joins the Jimmy Fund Walk to support head and neck cancer research

Malden resident Dr. Janis Moriarty registered for the Boston Marathon^® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai after a friend of hers became a patient at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 12 years ago. Due to Moriarty’s commitment to the Walk and fundraising efforts, she was honored with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Walk this past year.

Janis is a dentist and Co-Captain of Team Miles and Smiles, which is comprised mainly of dentists and those who work in the dental field. The team raises funds to support head and neck cancer research by Dr. Jonathan Schoenfeld, an oncologist at Dana-Farber. Her team has been a Top Team in terms of fundraising for years. The team is made up of a different number of walkers each year. They have several dental students, and they change each year as new ones come and others graduate and move away. Up until walk day, they will continue to welcome teammates.

“People like Janis make this one of the most meaningful ways to honor the heroes we are walking for and inspire other walkers to join the cause,” said Zack Blackburn, director of the Jimmy Fund Walk.

About the Jimmy Fund Walk

The 2023 Jimmy Fund Walk will take place on Sunday, October 1. The Walk raises funds to support all forms of adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at the nation’s premier cancer center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Whether participating for themselves, loved ones, neighbors, or coworkers, each walker shares a common purpose: to defy cancer and support breakthroughs that will benefit cancer patients around the world.

Participants have the flexibility to choose from four distance options: 5K walk (from Dana-Farber’s Longwood Medical campus), 10K walk (from Newton), Half Marathon walk (from Wellesley) or Marathon walk (from Hopkinton). Walkers can also participate virtually by “walking their way” from wherever they are most comfortable – whether that be in their neighborhood, on a favorite hiking trail or on a treadmill at home.

The Jimmy Fund Walk has raised more than $167 million for Dana-Farber in its 34-year history. The 2023 Walk will be held during the Jimmy Fund’s 75th anniversary year and will aim to raise $9 million in the effort to prevent, treat and defy cancer. To register for the Walk (#JimmyFundWalk) or to support a walker, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call 866-531-9255.