Peabody Officer Trains for Boston Marathon To Help Young Cancer Patients

PEABODY, MA – Peabody Police Officer Jim Harkins has always dreamt of running the Boston Marathon. This year, every step of those 26.2 miles Harkins runs will help raise money for Cops For Kids With Cancer.

In his Cops For Kids With Cancer runner profile, Harkins wrote that he has admired the outpouring of support at every marathon since he was young.

"As a father of three beautiful children I have a new set of dreams," Harkins wrote. "That my children will grow up to be caring healthy loving adults fulfilling their own dreams." Harkins said he decided to run the marathon when he was escorting a funeral procession for a young girl that went to school and danced with his two daughters.

Cops For Kids With Cancer is based in Canton, and helps families of cancer patients with their bills. According to their website, they have recently helped more than 480 families in and around New England. Harkins' fundraising goal is $10,000.

Image via Shutterstock