Press Release - Boston Marathon - 1/29/24

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                Series: Cities & Towns of the Boston Marathon
                                   NEWTON

This month we take a trip through Newton (course miles 15.93-21.35) and 
Brookline (course miles 22.45-24.70) to learn more about some of the 
organizations that benefit far beyond race day. 

The City of Newton  

Based in the City of Newton, Mothers' Milk Bank Northeast has been part of 
the community fabric for 18 years. They've been part of the organizations 
that benefit from race entries through Newton's community program and the 
impact is felt deeply in the community. 

CEO Deborah Youngblood  

"Newton is a community of families, of people who care for each other and 
who live here so that their children can grow and thrive. Our milk bank 
supports families with premature or fragile babies, right through to 
healthy babies that need a healthy milk supply. The service we offer is 
life changing, and the funds we raise annually from the Boston Marathon 
allows us to do our work. 

"Being chosen by the City of Newton helps us bring extra funds in the door 
and it also increases our visibility. Despite being around for hundreds of 
years, milk banking and the importance of donor milk isn't widely known.   

"When we cheer on the runners on marathon day, we are overcome with 
gratitude that our very own Maureen Cummings has trained so hard and is 
pushing toward the finish line to help make sure that every baby who relies 
on us for safe, lifesaving nutrition gets what they need. 

"As a nonprofit, we're used to doing a lot with little, and still pushing 
ourselves to help as many families as possible. Last year, we raised almost 
$8,000 through the Boston Marathon. This allowed us to provide more 
subsidized donor milk to families in need, to invest in additional lab 
equipment, and to educate more people about receiving and donating milk. 
When it comes to saving little lives, every gift is precious." 

When the organization was offered a place in the Boston Marathon in 2022, 
they jumped at the chance and Maureen Cummings stepped forward to take on 
the 26.2miles. This will be Maureen's third year representing Mothers' Milk 
Bank Northeast and she can't wait. 

Maureen Cummings 

"I am a pediatric nurse practitioner and have worked in pediatrics for the 
majority of my career so it is near and dear to my heart. Mothers' Milk 
Bank Northeast was the perfect charity for me to run for. They need to have 
their amazing work highlighted more and I am passionate about doing that. 
So many people – including healthcare professionals - are not aware of this 
organization and how important it is! 

"This will be my eighth Boston Marathon and my third opportunity to 
celebrate this amazing organization and all the funds we raise and all the 
people who need it. I send positive thoughts and prayers to them all and 
this helps me get through those tough miles.  

"I am technically a disabled runner (though I don't consider myself as such 
or run in that category). I have had two spinal fusions most recently in 
2017 and have four metal rods and hundreds of screws the entire length of 
my spine from T3-L5!!!  I was told I would never run again but I get out 
there and show others that we can do hard things and not let a disability 
define you. 

With the approval and support of my amazing surgeon, Christopher Bono from 
Massachusetts General Hospital, I have run five Boston marathons since that 
last spinal fusion. He is not only an amazing surgeon but has been a 
generous donor to the milk bank as well. 

"I am truly blessed and grateful to be able to run and be part of the 
Boston Marathon and I can't wait for April 15th to do it all over again." 

Deboarh shares her thoughts on Maureen saying: "Maureen's energy is just 
incredible. It's hard to imagine any runner more aligned with our mission 
and personally committed to it than Maureen. This is our third-year teaming 
up with her and she brings an unrivalled passion to running and 
fundraising. A true powerhouse, we're very lucky to have her leading our 
team!" 

Support Maureen and learn more about Mothers' Milk Bank Northeast - how you 
can donate milk, money or your time as a volunteer. 

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