Darby Stott, a cancer patient and Jimmy Fund fundraiser, recently received a “New Faces” award at the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s third Annual Summit on Fundraising presented by WCVB-TV/Channel 5 Boston’s Pam Cross.

Stott was selected to be a 2013 New Faces award winner because she was one of the top first-time fundraisers who participated in the 2013 Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk . Stott was a Team Captain and Pacesetter. As an individual walker, she raised more than $23,600. In addition, she led Team Darby, a group of 77 walkers who participated in honor of Stott’s cancer journey, and raised a combined total of more than $79,000 to support the work of Dr. Eric Winer, Stott’s oncologist at Dana-Farber.

“We are grateful to everyone who participated in all our 2013 Jimmy Fund events, especially to Walk Pacesetters who are committed to raising awareness and funds to benefit the advancement of cancer research and treatment,” says Suzanne Fountain, director of the Jimmy Fund.

Stott knows first-hand the importance of raising funds for cancer research and treatment. She is battling her second diagnosis with breast cancer and credits the doctors, research and treatments conducted at Dana-Farber for keeping her alive. Today, she is living with cancer.

“The cancer I thought was in my rearview mirror is back and this time my prognosis is very different,” says Stott. “This time the cancer is treatable, but, I will never hear the words ‘you are cancer free’ with the treatments currently available. Thanks to the treatments I am receiving at Dana-Farber, I am living with cancer.”

Stott was first diagnosed with breast cancer in Dec. 2011 and underwent surgery and 10 months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments before achieving remission. It was not until last spring when Stott received the life-altering news that her cancer had resurfaced and metastasized to her liver, lungs and bone.

Although Stott began supporting the Jimmy Fund prior to her diagnosis, her experience as a patient has only fueled her desire to continue to fundraise for the cause. In 2010 and 2011, she ran in the Boston Marathon® as part of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team. Grateful for her renewed health and treatment, she also joined the Dana-Farber Leadership Council, a volunteer-driven group of business professionals and community leaders whose mission is to advance Dana-Farber’s lifesaving work through financial support, advocacy and leadership.

“Research is the only way people who receive my diagnosis in the future will have a different outcome,” says Stott. “I cannot stress enough how important Jimmy Fund event participants and supporters are in that they help to bring awareness and money to this need. It is an honor to receive the New Faces award, but really, I am thankful to be treated at Dana-Farber.”
 
On Sunday, Sept. 21, Stott will join 8,500 participants in what will be her second experience walking in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. The 2014 event goal is to raise more than $7.5 million, bringing the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk’s 26-year fundraising total to more than $100 million.

To register for the 26th annual Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai (#JimmyFundWalk) on Sept. 21, or to support a walker, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call (866) 531-9255. Registration is easy and walkers can enter the discount code NEWS for $5 off.