BOSTON — Two Greenfield residents will take to the Boston Marathon route on Sunday, Oct. 6, as part of a fundraiser for a cause that hits close to home for them and millions of other Americans.

For 35 years, the Jimmy Fund Walk has raised money to support the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s cancer research and care. The Jimmy Fund Walk has raised more than $176 million since its inception, including a record-breaking $9.4 million in 2023.

For Greenfield resident Andi Guy, who has participated in the fundraiser for 12 years, the Jimmy Fund Walk is a way to support those in her life who are currently battling cancer, as well as to honor the memory of her late husband, David, who was treated at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute during the last months of his struggle with cancer.

“We all know somebody who is affected by cancer. It’s a great cause,” Guy said. “Every year there are people you’re walking for that are fighting, or you’re walking for people in their memory.”

To those who have never participated in an event like this, or thought they wouldn’t be capable of it, Guy said there are varying difficulty levels for all abilities. There is a 5K walk (from Dana-Farber’s Longwood Medical Campus), a 10K walk (from Newton), a half-marathon walk (from Wellesley) and a marathon walk (from Hopkinton), as well as an option to attend virtually.

“If you don’t want to even leave your home, you can fundraise. It’s really neat,” said Guy, who is opting for a half-marathon walk. “This year, the end is going to be at the Boston Common. You come down and there’s this big giant archway with people announcing medals next to food vendors. When you’re in there, you can write your name on ribbons and place them on fences, and even on the route. Every mile marker there’s a big sandwich board that shows people and their stories.”

Families are welcome, with Guy adding that she and her sister walk together every year and they’ve been joined by other family members on occasion. Hundreds of volunteers work together at refueling stations.

Another Greenfield resident, Janet Olander, learned about the Jimmy Fund Walk from her son in 2018. This will be her seventh year walking the full marathon route.

“Since 2018, I have had the opportunity to meet a few people who have either received treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute or knew of someone that has,” Olander said. “The gratitude that is shown to me when someone finds out about my involvement has been overwhelming and keeps me motivated to participate year after year.”

The cause, Olander continued, has become all the more personal this year.

“Unfortunately, this past year, cancer has touched much closer to home, with the loss of two family members and a friend of mine,” she said. “This has me more determined than ever to take part in this fundraiser for as long as I can.”

Olander urges anyone who’s considering participating to do so, adding that the most rewarding part is knowing that she’s doing her part to help in the fight against cancer.

Caitlin Fink, assistant vice president of event fundraising for the Jimmy Fund Walk, said the fundraising goal this year is to surpass the $9.5 million that was raised in 2023.

“Fighting cancer is what we do,” Fink said in a statement. “The walk unites our community under a common goal — to defy cancer together.”

To learn more about how to register or donate, visit danafarber.jimmyfund.org.