2013 Boston Marathon Profiles: Running for Alexa

The 117th Boston Marathon is coming up on Monday, April 15. As the city prepares to welcome about 20,000 runners and even more spectators, Charlestown Patch will be sharing the stories of some local marathon participants.

• Name: Julie Van Schalkwyk
• Age: 27
• Reason for running: I will be running the marathon for Dana-Farber, and in honor of my god-daughter Alexa Lutter. In February 2011 at age 2.5, Alexa was diagnosed with a brain tumor the size of an apple. Immediate surgery was required to remove the tumor, followed by a very long six-month hospital stay because of many unexpected complications. Alexa underwent six weeks of radiation and 10 invasive surgeries during this time. The surgery left her vocal cords paralyzed, making her unable to speak. And the extensive time spent in a hospitable bed left her muscles so weak that she could no longer sit up on her own.
       Now it's been two years since Alexa's diagnosis, and she continues to make incredible improvements every day. Because of the help and support of many people and organizations like Dana-Farber, Alexa's cancer is in complete remission, and she is now walking, laughing and playing like any four-year-old. She mastered walking on her own again just in time to walk down the aisle as our flower girl at my wedding last summer. And she's just starting to speak again. Alexa has been through more in her short four years than many of us will endure in our lifetimes. It's been so incredibly inspiring to watch her fight, and come so far, and we thank Dana-Farber for all of the help and support along the way.
• Marathon experience: This will be my third marathon, and first time running Boston. But no other marathon has compared to this incredible experience with Dana-Farber!
• Training tip: Find a training plan and stick to it!
• Fundraising page: rundfmc.org/2013/juliev 

Got a story to share? We want to hear from you! Fill out our online marathoner form and send a photo to becca.manning@patch.com to be featured on Charlestown Patch.