23-02-2025
U of I professor running in Boston Marathon to raise money for cancer research
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — A University of Illinois professor is trying stomp out cancer by raising money through the Boston Marathon. It's a good cause, and its one that he also has a personal connection to.
Brendan Harley was diagnosed with leukemia in high school. He was treated at Dana-Farber hospital in Boston, which is where the money he raises will go. The U of I professor said this is truly a full-circle moment.
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'I was a patient 30 years ago,' Harley said. 'I was on the other side of this where I was a kid sitting in the hospital waiting for a cure.'
And now, Harley is raising money for people who are in similar situations.
'I've been a runner since high school,' Harley said. 'I ran on the cross-country team and track team, and since finishing college, [this] has been my primary way of getting out and taking care of my body. '
Harley's ran about 15 marathons since he's started, including the Illinois Marathon here in Champaign. However, this one is special.
'The opportunity to run in support of cancer research, and specifically with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, is really a personal endeavor for me,' Harley said.
As a junior in high school, he was diagnosed with leukemia and treated by a hospital in the Dana-Farber system in Boston.
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'And this is the 30-year anniversary of the bone marrow transplant that saved my life,' Harley said.
To celebrate, he's running in the Boston Marathon in April to help support cancer research. Harley also works for the university, developing methods to stop the spread of cancer and cure it. He sees this as a great way to combine two things he loves.
'This is a great chance for me to give back, for me to do something I'm passionate about, which is running,' Harley said. 'And to do it in a manner to raise money for one of the premier cancer research institutes in the country and to make it possible for us to invent the new cures for tomorrow.'
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity he plans to soak in.
'I think finishing a marathon is always emotional,' Harley said. 'I know finishing Boston will be extra special and I'm sure there'll be a lot of emotion as we get towards the end. Thinking about the experience of being a patient and now the chance to make a difference for future patients.'
Harley is shooting to raise $10,000 and is 75% of the way there so far. He has a donation link you can visit here to support the cause.
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