Bastarache to Walk for the Jimmy Fund
Apr 03, 2019 04:20PM ● By Pamela Johnson
Gary Bastaroche with Team Defeet
Bellingham resident Gary Bastarache is all too familiar with the devastation that cancer can bring. Gary is the team captain of Team Defeet Cancer, and he plans to walk the Boston Marathon course as a part of this year’s Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai.
“I am continuing with my commitment to do what I can to help in the fight against cancer,” Gary writes. “I am walking for all those that have had cancer or have lost their battle with cancer.” Most recently, Gary’s family was hit with tragedy when they lost his nephew’s mother-in-law, Eileen, and his stepdaughter’s uncle, Jeff Parker, to cancer.
When Gary first joined the Jimmy Fund Walk years ago, he did so because he had always wanted to run the Boston Marathon but “knew that jogging/running was too much for his body.” Instead, he decided that he could train for and walk the Boston Marathon course for a great cause.
This year, Gary’s team hopes to raise $10,000 to help conquer cancer. In the past, Gary and his team have resorted to creative fundraising tactics. They have run car washes, lemonade stands, trivia fundraising events, and a yearly bottle-and-can drive. “I probably have been running these events for the past 10 years with the last 3 years raising over $2,000 each in bottles and cans alone,” Gary writes.
To donate, visit www.danafarber.jimmyfund.org. (The exact website to donate to Bastarache is https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/TR?fr_id=1160&pg=team&team_id=2711).
