Oncology Nurse Runs Boston Marathon in Honor of Her Patient
26-year-old oncology nurse Anna Leedham is taking on the Boston Marathon with a deeply personal mission. She’s not just running for herself—she’s running for her patients, their families, cancer research, and most of all, for Andrea, a patient who left a lasting impact on her.
Leedham is participating in the race on behalf of Caring for a Cure, a charity dedicated to uplifting cancer patients and their families. Having witnessed the organization’s impact firsthand, she’s determined to support its mission through her 26.2-mile journey.
Honoring Andrea’s Resilience
Andrea was admitted to the hospital for a stem cell transplant last year, and Nurse Leedham had the privilege of caring for her. Despite the many challenges of her transplant and a prolonged hospital stay, Andrea’s strength and humor never wavered.
“There aren’t enough words to truly capture who Andrea is—she is kind, humorous, and most of all, resilient,” Leedham shared with Boston.com. “Somehow, every shift spent together, we managed to laugh and give each other a healthy amount of sass. There was never a dull moment.”
Andrea recently celebrated 100 days post-bone marrow transplant and is now back home, growing stronger each day. Leedham says that Andrea’s journey reminded her of the deep meaning behind her profession.
Running with Purpose
As an oncology nurse, Leedham knows the emotional weight of her job. Some days are filled with joy, others with heartbreak. But through it all, she holds onto moments like those shared with Andrea—moments that remind her why she chose this career in the first place.
“There’s nothing more fitting than running 26.2 to honor a woman whose personality is truly larger than life itself,” she said.
For those who would like to support Leedham’s run and donate to Caring for a Cure, you visit her fundraising page here.
🤔Nurses, have you ever done something to honor a patient? Share your stories in the comments below!
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