After 15 years, UMass ALS Cellucci Fund Boston Marathon team remains an unstoppable force

Since 2012, a team of dedicated runners has braved the famed Boston Marathon route from Hopkinton to Copley Square on behalf of the UMass ALS Cellucci Fund. Training for the grueling race, while simultaneously fundraising for ALS research at UMass Chan Medical School, is a formidable undertaking. Year after year, the team has delivered, driven by a profound shared purpose—as reflected in their testimonials below—to accelerate breakthroughs in the treatment of ALS and bring hope to patients and families across the world.

2026 was no exception. This year’s five-member team shattered their fundraising goal, bringing in more than $81,000. Collectively, teams representing the Cellucci Fund since 2012 are approaching the extraordinary milestone of $1 million raised. This success reflects the power of compassion and the vision of the late Gov. Paul Cellucci, who launched the UMass ALS Cellucci Fund in 2011 after being diagnosed with ALS.

The 2026 team included: 

Katherine Binkoski of Boston

“Being part of my second Boston Marathon running for the UMass ALS Cellucci Fund was incredibly meaningful. People cheer you on the whole way through, and it’s so inspiring to run alongside other charity runners knowing you made a small difference in the future of ALS detection, care and longevity.”

John Kelly of Worcester

“The Boston Marathon is so much more than a race; it’s a 26.2-mile cathedral of human resilience. Every mile, you see the quiet strength of people running for those who no longer can—like a woman I ran behind with stage 4 breast cancer, or the families carrying the memory of a loved one. For me, running for the UMass ALS Cellucci Fund is about turning months of cold winter training into a few hours of advocacy. Crossing that finish line isn't just a personal achievement; it’s a profound privilege to stand for a cause that matters far more than a finish time.”

Paul McNeil of Worcester

“It meant the world to me to be part of the UMass ALS Cellucci Fund team. It was a special honor to run on behalf of ALS research at UMass Chan Medical School for the fourth time, which was also my fastest race yet.”

Paul Seaver of Bellingham

“It was a true honor and privilege to run the 130th Boston Marathon for the UMass ALS Cellucci Fund and UMass Chan Medical School in memory of my father—Paul "Wally" Seaver—who passed away from ALS in 2013. I am so grateful for the opportunity to do so, and despite spending nearly one-third of my life without my father, I know that he was there in spirit. I know that he would be proud of all the continued work that so many great people are doing to someday put an end to ALS.”

Aimee Usera of Winchester

“It was an honor to run the Boston Marathon and raise funds and awareness for ALS research, which is such an important cause. Running with the UMass ALS Cellucci Fund team, and the fundraising process, connected me with so many individuals who made me realize just how far-reaching this devastating disease is, with so many affected. Every small effort can make a difference, and we’ll keep fighting to find a cure on behalf of ALS patients and their families.”

Visit the UMass ALS Cellucci Fund site to learn more about the team.