Alison McGinty

I'm Alison McGinty. I'm running the 2021 Chicago Marathon with the Massachusetts chapter of Team in Training. I am running in memory of my mother and late boyfriend.

This is my 4th endurance event with TNT to raise money for LLS. My first experience with TNT was in 2003 shortly after by boyfriend, Patrick Newell, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. He was 25 years old. I felt pretty helpless at the time, but decided that I could run in his honor and support others by participating in the 2003 Honolulu marathon as a member of TNT. Pat went into remission shortly after the marathon, but the cancer returned two months later. He passed away in June 2004.

Five years later, my mother, Cynthia Caruso, was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. I was living in Boston at the time and she was in Chicago. I quickly found an event near me to honor her as she started chemotherapy. I completed the Hyannis Sprint Triathlon in 2010, just two months after my mother passed. I was recognized as the highest fundraiser in my group, but remember feeling very disconnected from my team and still in the midst of enormous grief.

In June 2012, I decided to be a mentor for TNT. In part, I wanted to continue supporting LLS. I had also had a negative experience during my 2010 training with TNT because my mentor was not available or supportive at a time that I really needed it. Knowing that this was not typical, and that TNT was an excellent organization, I jumped right in. I had the privilege of mentoring a group of about 5 runners, some of whom became very good friends. I also raised money for LLS and participated in the 2012 Rock n Roll 1/2 marathon in San Diego, CA.

Almost 10 years later, I'm participating in the Chicago marathon (my hometown) in memory of both Pat and my mother. I am honored to be a member of TNT and will look forward to wearing my purple bib on 10/10/2021. I am motivated to keep their memories alive and share this experience with my daughters, ages 6 and 4.

Go TEAM!