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Community Corner

Natasha Fahey, Simsbury Native, Running 2011 Boston Marathon

She is supporting Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge by raising funds to run.

On April 18, 2011, Natasha Fahey, 26, now of Cambridge, Mass., is running the Boston Marathon. This is her third time running the marathon, but it will be her first time as an official entrant sponsored by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (a.k.a. the Jimmy Fund).

Fahey grew up in Simsbury, attending , , and graduating from in 2003. She graduated from Skidmore College in 2007 and throughout her education has been deeply involved in varsity athletics including field hockey, ice hockey and lacrosse.

“Dana-Farber is very important to me, as my best friend Margaret Earl, is a nurse there,” Fahey said. “I listen daily to her stories regarding the amazing patients who are treated there and what a difference a new drug, or a new treatment method can make in their lives.”

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Margaret Earl, 26, is also a Simsbury native. A 2003 graduate of and 2007 graduate of Simmons College, Earl worked at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center from 2007 to 2010 and has been at the Dana-Farber since the fall of 2010.

“After marathon training is done, I plan to find a night or weekend time to volunteer at the hospital in any capacity, to give back some time,” said Fahey.

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The institute has assigned Fahey a fundraising goal of $3,250 and having accepted this challenge, she will be raising the funds between now and April 18, which is the day of the Boston Marathon race.

In addition to training for the marathon, Fahey is a paralegal for the Boston law firm McDermott, Will & Emery.

“Natasha is truly an excellent worker,” said Peter Acton, an attorney who is currently working with her on a trial in Boston.

“She is focused, practical, and has a wonderful work ethic. That she is working all day and all night on a major trial right now and still has time to train for a marathon is simply remarkable," added Acton, (who is coincidentally my brother).

According to her dad, Tom Fahey, of Simsbury, Natasha has experience in raising money from her years selling candy or raffle tickets in town, for her father's men's bowling league in particular. Her persistence has always impressed him and it continues to pay off in her achievements. From interning at the U. S. Senate for Sen. Chris Dodd, and at the Connecticut State Capitol for Gov. M. Jodi Rell, to being event concierge at the Ritz Carleton in Boston Commons, and now a litigation paralegal, Fahey likes a challenge.

“I love running and I figure why not raise funds while I’m doing something I love,” she said.

“Also, running for Dana-Farber gives me a real reason to run faster and gives me something to think about while running. Running 26.2 miles pales in comparison to having to fight cancer. It’s like comparing apples to oranges,” Fahey said.

To contribute to the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge or to support Natasha Fahey, go online to www.RunDFMC.org, click on the link “support a runner” and select Natasha Fahey or contact the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge office at 617-632-1970.

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