Fitchburg wife tackles Marathon fundraiser.

Byline: Elizabeth Latham

FITCHBURG - Amanda MacIsaac is giving back by doing something she loves.

A year ago next week, Amanda's husband, Matt, 29, was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma.

For the past year, the two have been making regular trips to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, where he receives treatment.

This Patriot's Day, April 21, Mrs. MacIsaac will be among hundreds who will participate in the 112th Boston Marathon, her second marathon, to show her support of her husband and her gratitude to all the people at Dana-Farber, who have helped them through their difficult journey this past year.

"The doctors and all the other people at Dana-Farber are just amazing. They give us comfort and hope; they are a fabulous group of people. And, they love what they do," Mrs. Mac Isaac said.

"There are so many ways to give back. I just happen to love running," she explained.

Mrs. MacIsaac, along with teammates from across the United States, will run from Hopkinton to Boston with a goal of raising $4.5 million for cancer research. Runners have to raise a minium of $3,000 to receive an entry into the race.

She said that she wouldn't define herself as a runner. She was an athlete in high school, but never ran track or cross country.

She calls herself a casual runner, who started running the year before she married. "I just enjoy getting out there and clearing the stresses of the day," she said.

However, running seems to have now taken on new meaning and purpose for Amanda. As part of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge, she has so far raised more than $3,500 for Dana-Farber. She said that all of the money has come from family and friends.

"It's really overwhelming. Every day we receive notes with checks. It is heart-warming and overwhelming - especially not knowing what the future holds for us. It is great to know that these people will be there for us in the future," she said.

"Today, I found in my mailbox a letter from an old college friend," she said. Inside the envelope were a bunch of notes and checks from her friend's family and friends.

All of the money that Mrs. MacIsaac and the other Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge runners raise will go toward the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research.

In the meantime, she has continued to show other means of support for her husband. "I've been to every one of his appointments and tried to support and understand him the best I can," she said.

And he has shown his support of her as well.

Whenever one of her training runs exceeds eight miles, he meets her every few miles to give her a water break. He has also helped her with the fundraising. "He thinks it's great that I want to give back to an organization that has given us so much," she said.

For more information or to contribute to her fundraising effort, visit www.dutimac.com on the Web.

ART: PHOTO

CUTLINE: Amanda and Matt MacIsaac

PHOTOG: COURTESY PHOTO