Mark is a cancer survivor. Since his recovery period back in March 2005, Mark has been very active in several charities in raising much-needed funds. In 2006, he ran his first Boston Marathon just 12 months after surgery and chemotherapy to remove and treat Non-Hodgkin’s large cell type A Lymphoma.

While recovering in the hospital after his surgery, he vowed that when he got back on his feet that he would help others that were in the same situation as he now found himself. Mark firmly believes that he will never meet the people that strive to find a cure for this type of cancer, however, his quest is to become one among many that is instrumental in the recovery of future cancer patients. His belief is that someone was responsible for his children having a father and his wife having a husband and by his efforts others will experience that same feeling of satisfaction.

From his first marathon in 2006, Mark has completed 8 consecutive Boston Marathons. Because of the tragic events in 2013, he made it to mile 24 but was unable to complete the Marathon for safety reasons.

Originally from Co. Meath, Ireland I came to Boston in 2002. Since then I have been actively involved in several events to raise money for cancer. I walked 3 Avon Breast Cancer 40 walks raising over $70K as a team and in 2016 I fought in Battle at the Bay.  After fighting and seeing first hand some of the work that was done and some of the families affected by the deadly disease, I wanted to help out and raise awareness for this wonderful foundation. Helping to take the burden off people affected by cancer with every day non-medical related bills is our number 1 goal. ​

Jenny O' Regan originally from Kanturk Co.Cork Ireland and I moved to Boston in 2001.I met Mark Porter through family and friends and fought at the Battle at the Bay 2015.Mark then asked me to help out the next year and through him, I got to meet and help out some amazing families that were going through what has to be the most difficult time in their life.  To see the strength and courage these people have along with the positive attitude and fight they have in them every day pushed me to be more involved and help make our charity bigger and better so we can help more people. We cant help everyone but everyone can help someone.​

After attending the Battle at the Bay event in which my wife fought I met and chatted to Mark Porter about the foundation and as it turned out we would both be running the Boston marathon that year. While pounding the roads in the bitter New England winter Mark told me about some of the families the foundation had helped and that there was so much more out there needing help. That was enough for me to get into the ring and fight the following year and that was my initial involvement with the foundation. I'm now in training for my 5th consecutive Boston marathon raising money to help those who are fighting the biggest battle of all.