When Meghan Lembo runs the Boston Marathon this spring, it will be her first time since her dad died from colorectal cancer in May 2022. That year, she ran in her dad’s honor while he was fighting the disease.
This year, she’s running to honor her dad’s legacy of giving back by joining Team Tufts MC and raising the money that helps provide life-saving care to our patients.
“I think getting to run it now, knowing my dad passed away and doing it in honor of him and myself, is a very special experience,” said Lembo.
Lembo, 29, said she wanted to support Tufts Medicine after everything her dad and family went through. In addition to being a supporter, she’s also a patient. Lembo gets all of her medical care at the Medical Center.
Running the Boston Marathon for Tufts Medical Center is also a way for her to raise awareness about colon cancer.
“Early detection is so important,” she said. “He would still be here today if we were able to catch it sooner,” she said.
Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in U.S. men and the fourth-leading cause in U.S. women, according to the American Cancer Society. It’s the second most common cause of death for U.S. men and women combined.
People who are at risk for colorectal cancer should start getting screened at age 45. Regular colonoscopies can help prevent colon cancer and lead to early detection, diagnosis and treatment.
The starting line
Lembo first ran the Boston Marathon for the Medical Center in 2020 and that’s “kind of where it all started.” That year, she ran virtually because of COVID and raised $4,000. This year, she’s surpassed her fundraising goal of $8,500 and is now trying to raise $10,000.
The funds raised by Team Tufts MC go to building healthier communities through initiatives including critical medical equipment, research, patient support programs and community outreach efforts.
“I’m really excited and hoping I can get to over $10,000,” she said.
Giving back is something her dad instilled in her as a longtime high school baseball coach. He taught his players the importance of helping community organizations by having them participate in many local charities, including the Relay for Life and Bread for Life. Every year, the team donated 40 Thanksgiving turkeys to families in need.
“He was always giving back to the community and to cancer research and hospitals (and) to people who were going through something that he would ultimately go through as well,” said Lembo.
This year marks her third Boston Marathon and 11th marathon. She’s honored her dad by completing the six original World Marathon Majors, including the Boston, Berlin, Tokyo, New York City, London and Chicago marathons.
Lembo’s goal was to complete the majors before turning 30 and she achieved it last April with her mom’s help.
“I’ve been able to do all this with my mom,” said the South Boston resident. “She’s taken me around the world.”
Lembo said that in addition to helping her deal with her grief of losing her dad, running has helped her with anxiety, which she’s struggled with her whole life.
“For me, it’s really has been such a great outlet for my mental health and physical health, but really my mental health,” she said.
