~ May 13, 2018 ~
Purple Ribbon Mother's Day 5K Run/2 mile walk 

 Click  here for 2015 race results

On a beautiful Mothers' Day in 2015 participants numbered 220.
We were so lucky to host another successful Purple Ribbon Run, and with the blast of the starter’s horn and with U2’s Beautiful Day booming in the background, 220 runners/walkers kicked off Mother’s Day, 2015.

Through race registration and generous donations from Michelle’s friends, family, colleagues, and graduated students, we are able to send a $7,000 check to the MGH Cadorette Fund for Thymoma Research, and this year, provide $1000 scholarships for three deserving seniors at Bow High School: Haley Parker, Andrew Schwartz, and Jordan Vachon. All three exhibit qualities of character Michelle would have respected – Haley is either at or near the top of the senior class with respect to community service hours; Andrew has challenged himself by taking AP courses in order to “be smarter and surround himself with smart people” (Michelle would have loved that!), and Jordan so often sends classmates her notes the night before a test, “just in case they might have been absent a day or two.” Loyal friends each one of them, and so keenly aware of giving to others and expecting nothing in return.

 We know that Michelle would heartily embrace these students and would be so happy to help them along their journey.

 We are grateful for the generous contributions specifically to the Michelle L. Cadorette Scholarship Award(s).  It is through these endeavors that we keep Michelle’s spirit alive.


 Become a friend of the Purple Ribbon Run on Facebook

 Directions:
Take Interstate 93 to Interstate 89. Take Exit 1.
At the bottom of the ramp,  turn right onto Logging Hill Road. Proceed
approximately 9/10ths of a mile to  the intersection of Logging Hill Road and
White Rock Hill Road (at Bow Fire  Station). Turn right onto White Rock Hill
Road and proceed approximately 2/10ths  of a mile to Bow High School.

 Information:  The tradition begun in 2003 will continue on Mother's Day 2016. Each year’s Purple Ribbon Run/Walk benefits the Michelle Cadorette Fund for Thymoma Research at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Michelle L. Cadorette Scholarship Fund at Bow High School.  The generosity of the Bow High School community and the proceeds from this event  have helped establish a tissue bank at MGH to study this rare form of cancer,  support genetic testing and to work toward a cure.

 About Purple Ribbon Events
by Michelle Cadorette
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. The success of that race continued on Sunday, October 18, 2009. Over 100 participants raised nearly $4,600 for the MGH Fund.

The spring of 2011 brought many changes to our annual event, now the "Purple Ribbon Mother's Day Run".  Elite runner and race organizer John Mortimer stepped in to help  re-structure the race, and Tom Raffio, President and CEO of Northeast Delta Dental provided some substantial funding. There was a 5K run, a 2 mile walk, official'chip-times', on-line registration, events for kids, and (as always) great food and prizes. In a 'nod' to Mother's Day every female runner received a gerbera daisy!  It was a true community event, with volunteers and participants from near  and far. There were close to 200 runners and walkers, including athletes, friends, family, students, teachers, staff, and alumni. Together we raised enough money to support the Fund with $6,000.

In 2012, the  Mother's Day tradition continued.  We were so lucky to have great weather and  over 250 participants!  Many Bow High School faculty, staff and students volun- teered their time and energy to make this run the most successful one yet. We were thrilled that this year's event netted over $10,000 for the Fund at Mass. General.

On Mother’s Day 2013, not only did we once again welcome a large and enthusiastic crowd to Bow High School, but we also were thrilled to have representatives from “Be The Match”, the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry.  In just 2 hours, 29 people registered to be donors and to, potentially, save a life.  The Boston-based retailer “b Positive Project” joined  us as well, selling t-shirts and sweatshirts and donating a portion of its proceeds to our cause.  Bow alum Lauren Percy sang the National Anthem, the  skies cleared, and the runners and walkers had some impressive performances.   Volunteers, community members, friends, families, students and even a few pets  made this year’s event really special – and together we raised over $11,000 for  malignant thymoma research. 

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. The fund now also  supports genetic testing for research purposes.
                                                                                                                             May 2013

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The 3rd Annual St. Anselm College Purple Ribbon Lacrosse Challenge  
was held on Sunday, October 5,  2014 at 10 a.m.
Grappone Stadium
St. Anselm  College
Manchester, NH 

Through  this lacrosse challenge event, the St. Anselm men's lacrosse program supports  the Purple Ribbon cause. Michelle was a 1991 Graduate of St. Anselm College. For  more information please contact menslacrosse@anselm.edu
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Waiting to start

Starting Lineup

On your mark, get set,...

Loyal Fans

Mothers' Day flowers

A tribute

Good friends

A history of shirts

Lacrosse Challenge 2012