April 7, 2000

While training for the run of his life, Mark Sampson is trying to save someone else's. Like many of the members of the Mass. General Marathon Team, Sampson is running in honor of a young patient with cancer. Sampson is running in honor of his own 3-year-old son Michael.

In April 1998, just shy of his second birthday, Michael Sampson was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Michael was taken to the MGH where a CT scan revealed that the tumor was malignant. He was operated on to remove part of the tumor. Some of it had spread to inoperable parts of his brain, however, and chemotherapy was required. The first two rounds of chemotherapy made Michael extremely sick and caused seizures. He required three subsequent surgeries, and in October 1998, a third treatment of chemotherapy began.

Today, under the care of David Ebb, MD, of the MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Michael is continuing with the treatment, which has stabilized the tumor with minimal side effects.

"I got involved with the marathon team through visiting Michael's doctors at the MassGeneral Hospital for Children," says Sampson. "I had heard about the team in 1999, however, I wasn't emotionally ready for it at that time. I've been a runner for nearly 25 years, but I've never done a marathon before. It's exhilarating to know that by doing this, I'm helping to raise money that will ultimately benefit Michael."

Mark, left, and Michael Sampson

Jodi Sampson, Mark's wife and Michael's mother, also is involved in raising funds for pediatric cancer research at the MGH. The Sampsons have organized a fundraiser at Golf Country and Richardson's Dairy on Route 114 in Middleton, Mass. to add to their efforts. The event, which will be April 9, noon to 4 pm, will include raffle tables, a miniature golf contest, a "closest to the pin" contest and entertainment. In addition, Richardson's Dairy will donate proceeds from sales made between 2 and 5 pm on the day of the event.

"We really are excited about the event, and many people are willing to help us make a difference," says Jodi Sampson. "This is a wonderful way to take a tragedy and turn it into something good."

Mark Sampson adds: "The marathon requires a lot of hard work and determination. Michael is doing well, but I know there is more fighting for him to do. I am hoping and praying that he will continue down this path and get better. I feel proud that my running the marathon may take him one step closer to that goal."