Lahey Hospital Employee Will Run Boston Marathon To Raise Funds For Organ Donation

BURLINGTON, MA — A health professional at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center is running in the Boston Marathon. Jennie Cataldo is raising funds to support the hospital's "mission of providing high-quality health care services to those in need," according to a Lahey statement.

Cataldo has more than 13 years in patient-centered care and clinical research. She has a background as a registered dietitian and joined Lahey Hospital in 2023 as the transplant outreach program manager.

Cataldo, 38, of Lexington, is passionate about helping patients who need organ transplants.

"Working with patients before and after transplant has shown me how life-changing organ donation can be," she said. "These patients are facing end-stage organ failure, and an organ transplant offers them a second chance at life."

Last year, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center performed 128 liver and 66 kidney transplants, Cataldo said.

"A major part of my role is raising awareness about organ donation, including living donation," she said. "At Lahey, we perform both living kidney and liver transplants. I’ve met generous donors willing to give part of themselves to help another as well as families who found comfort in knowing their loved one’s final act saved lives."

Recently, she asked patients what they would say to their donor or donor family if they had the chance. She received over 50 heartfelt responses.

"It’s a constant reminder of just how powerful and meaningful this work is," Cataldo said.

She previously ran a series of marathons about a decade ago – Philadelphia in 2015 and 2017 and Chicago in 2016.

After watching the Boston Marathon last year, she decided 2025 would be her year to return to the marathon field.

"I'm always inspired by the thousands of runners, of all ages and abilities, who take on the challenge of the Boston Marathon and I knew if they could do it, I could, too," Cataldo said.

She's joining the Beth Israel Lahey Health team, which has 81 runners, including 16 staff members, representing member organizations who are raising funds for critical priorities at each institution.

The Boston Marathon will be Monday, April 21.

Cataldo's fundraising page is available by clicking here.

Related: Boston Marathon 2025: What To Know