Weymouth Woman Continues to Fight Cancer Alongside Her Father

Donna Fridgen of Weymouth shares a strong bond with her father. 

The two spend the year working out and preparing for a 26.2 mile walk each September to fight cancer. Over the years, they have raised over $15,000 for the disease by walking the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk.

Fridgen knows cancer all too well. One of her closest friends died of cancer. Her father Richard Fridgen, 80, along with his wife, are both survivors. Today, her boyfriend’s mother is currently battling the disease.

“Cancer hits everyone,” she said. “It doesn’t discriminate. At some point it’s going to affect you.” 

Inspired by the faces and stories of the patients around her while working as a benefits manager in human resources at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Fridgen, 49, decided to take a more active role in the fight against cancer.

In 1988, she joined the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk as a member of the volunteer committee and as a first-time walk participant. Today, she is one of 15 walkers who will celebrate their 25th year participating in the event this September.  

Fridgen still cries as she remembers her first walk in 1998. The next day she was complaining about the pain she felt from walking the strenuous long-distance walk when she was inspired by a cancer patient to quit complaining.

“The day after my first walk, I was back at work, standing in line in the cafeteria, when I noticed a cancer patient in front of me who was missing a leg,” Fridgen said. “Right then and there, I vowed to continue to walk for those who can’t, because some people can’t do it and I can.

"It’s one day a year that I can do and I will walk for those who can’t.”

Two years after her first walk, her father decided to join her. This year, even at the age of 80 he will continue walking, what will be his 23rd straight year.

“My father is right by my side,” she said. “He does the whole walk. He’s amazing.”

On Sunday, Sept. 8, the father-daughter duo will join an expected 8,500 participants who will walk up to 26.2 miles to raise more than $7 million for lifesaving adult and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. To date, the Fridgens have collectively raised nearly $15,300 for the cause.

The Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk is a one-day charity walk that supports all cancers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Since its 1989 inception, the Walk has raised nearly $87 million.

To register for the 25th anniversary of the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk or to support a walker, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call (866) 531-9255.