In the fall of 2003, one of the athletes on the Cross Country Team that I coached at Bow High School needed an idea to pursue for his Senior Project, a graduation requirement encompassing reading, writing, research, proposal documentation, community outreach, public presentation and service. One of my colleagues and dearest friends, Lily Woo, told the student, Geoff MacDonald, about my diagnosis of Malignant Thymoma. She also told him that at Trinity High School, where she and I first taught together, students and teachers had worn purple "awareness"' ribbons to help raise money for Thymoma research at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).

Soon after their conversation, Geoff asked my permission to organize a road race that would raise money to be donated to the Michelle Cadorette Fund for Malignant Thymoma Research at MGH. Geoff's race, called "Run Around the Town", included over 70 participants and was a great success.

With help from Dyrace Maxfield, our friend and coach at Bow High School, Geoff measured a course, advertised the race and prepared thoroughly for the big day. He raised over $2,000—the start of a tradition that continues today.

In the Spring of 2005, senior track and field athlete Kara Dugas used Geoff's idea as a model and organized another road race that, despite rainy weather, drew over 100 runners and raised nearly $3,000 for the hospital's research. Participants wore Purple Ribbon Run T-shirts with sponsors' names. There was a huge registration tent and free merchandise for participants.

In the fall of 2005, cross country star Gretchen Andrus organized a run on local cross country trails. She, too, with the help of local merchants and donors, provided great refreshments and prizes for runners and volunteers alike. Chris Naime, a Bow teacher and an athlete in his own right, was instrumental in organizing the computerized timing for the finish line. This Purple Ribbon Run also drew a crowd and raised thousands more to be added to the growing fund.

Linking the Purple Ribbon Run to the Walt Disney Marathon was the idea of senior athlete Casey Bessette. She decided to raise awareness and collect pledges before going to Florida to race in her first official marathon! It was amazing and inspiring to follow her training regimen throughout the months of summer and fall, and even more incredible to be able to stand on the roadside in Orlando on Sunday January 8, 2006, to cheer as Casey (and her Mom and Dad) ran past. Her efforts raised over $4,000.

In the fall of 2006, senior harrier Kevin Bosse took up the challenge of the Purple Ribbon Run. Kevin made some changes to the course, the T-shirt and the overall organization of the race. Nearly 100 participants raced on a bright sunny day, resulting once again in donations to MGH's research.

In May of 2007, senior athlete Taylor Phelps hosted a Purple Ribbon event at Bow High School with the goal of raising money for and awareness about thymoma. Succeeding on both counts, she planned a walk as well as relay events for families and kids. The balloon toss was a real crowd pleaser. There were refreshments, prizes, and of course lots of fun.

November 18th of 2007 saw another Purple Ribbon Race. Friends, family, members of the Bow community and local runners gathered at Bow High School for a 5K race/walk. This event, organized by senior Beth Penney, drew a crowd of close to 100 people and raised over $1,000 for the Thymoma Fund.

In the fall of 2008, Bow High School Varsity Track and Field coach Dyrace Maxfield, BHS Assistant Principal Gay Longnecker, Teachers Lily Woo and Chris Naimie, BHS School Resource Officer Margaret Lougee and I took up the mantle of the Purple Ribbon 5K Run/Walk. Sunday, October 18, 2009 had over 100 participants and raised nearly $4,600 for the MGH Fund.

I continue to be honored and humbled by the students who began the proud tradition of the "Purple Ribbon". I'm so grateful for the hundreds of sponsors, donors, colleagues, family members and friends who continue to support the Fund's goals with such generosity. Because of their support the Fund has made possible the establishment of a Thymoma Tissue Bank (the only one in the country) at MGH to study thymoma and research a cure.