Why Sarah Burke Runs: Meet Braintree Boston Marathon 2022 Runner

BRAINTREE, MA — For much of her life, Braintree resident Sarah Burke has seen cancer impact her family.

In 2012, she lost her mom to breast cancer. Then in 2015 her grandmother died after battling uterine cancer. And this past summer, her grandfather died from prostate cancer and multiple myeloma.

But now, Burke is deciding to run for those that can't. On April 18, she will run the Boston Marathon for the Boston Children's Hospital team, Miles For Miracles. Specifically, she's running in honor of Eli Blumburg, a Weymouth boy who lost a two-year battle with an inoperable brain tumor at age 6.

Burke, 22, said her and Blumberg first crossed paths in summer 2017 at the Magic Years Nursery Camp in Braintree. She later discovered Blumberg had been battling a brain tumor since age 4.

"The one thing about Eli is that you would have never known he had been facing challenges because of what positivity, light and love he brought to each and every day," Burke said. "This little polite, caring and sweet child that was full of life could make everyone smile where ever he went. Eli loved his classmates and teachers at Magic Years Nursery, was a fond lover of the band 'The Beatles,' drawing, knock-knock jokes, being a big brother and more."

But in August 2018, Blumberg succumbed to his cancer. And in his memory, Burke was inspired to run her first marathon.

"It is my duty to honor Eli in the best way I can," Burke said. "My goal is to spread Eli’s loving, positive and joyful impact he brought to me and many others in the short time he had here with us. I truly wish everyone could have meant this beautiful soul. I run for hope, and fundraise for families, so they do not have to say goodbye to little souls like Eli. It’s simply not fair."

As of Wednesday, Burke said she's raised more than $7,000 for Miles For Miracles. Those that wish to help Burke can donate here.