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Long run for Children’s

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Jim O’Malley during last year’s Boston Marathon.

s kids, Jim O’Malley and his younger sister Lauren suffered from constant earaches, bronchitis and more. But it wasn’t until their brother Neil was born and became very sick that the Melrose family’s pediatrician realized something more was wrong.

Referred to Children’s, the O’Malley kids were diagnosed with Hypogammaglobulinemia, an immune deficiency disorder. With the proper diagnosis, what could have been a lifetime of chronic illnesses is now a disorder managed with blood byproduct infusions. With care from Raif Geha, MD, chief of Immunology, Jim has led a full life without limitations. Today, still a Children’s patient, he’s 26 and preparing to run his fourth Boston Marathon in honor of the hospital.

“It’s a great experience,” Jim says. “The most positive thing I draw from Children’s is the kindness of the people, the nurses, the doctors. By running the marathon, I can help them continue their work.”

Jim is running as part of the Kids at Heart marathon program, which allows non-qualified runners to earn the opportunity to run the Boston Marathon in exchange for fundraising for the hospital. This year, Jim earned a qualifying spot after running the November Philadelphia marathon in 3:10. His marathon goal this spring: to complete the race in three hours and raise $1,500 for Children’s.

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