On Sunday, April 18, the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge held its annual pre-race Pasta Party. In attendance were the more than 500 runners who will be competing in the 114th Boston Marathon. The race is the culmination of a months-long training and fund-raising effort, as the team has set a combined goal of generating $4.4 million to support basic science research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. The Pasta Party not only allows runners to carbo-load before the big race; it also reinforces the reasons why they are running - highlighting the scientific breakthroughs of Dana-Farber researchers and celebrating the lives of children and families facing and fighting a cancer diagnosis. Valerie spoke briefly at this emotional, uplifting event.