She’s running Boston to honor her daughter’s courage through cancer treatment

“I run this marathon for her journey of bravery, for her future opportunities and for all those that have made this hope possible.”

Lori Robertson is running the 2026 Boston Marathon.

In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon athletes share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston. Looking for more race day content? Sign up for Boston.com’s pop-up Boston Marathon newsletter.

Name: Lori Robertson
Age: 49
From: Concord

I am finally checking off a bucket list item this year, timed with a milestone birthday and running the Boston Marathon! However, my reasons for running are not part of a wish granted or joyous bucket list check off.

I am a single mother of four amazing kids, 16-year-old twins, a 19- and 21- year old. My background as a pediatric respiratory therapist and then experience with clinical research for pharmaceutical institutions, as well as being a caregiver to my late father with Parkinson’s disease, has taught me much about acute care and multiple disciplines in healthcare.

However, nothing could have prepared me for April 4, 2025, after my daughter Emma was experiencing some balance issues and double vision and we were rushed from optometrist, to ophthalmologist, to Mass Eye and Ear Emergency Department, and then to MGH PICU. Hearing that my beautiful and sweet 16-year-old daughter had a medulloblastoma mass in her cerebellum that required surgery immediately, and that the cells had metastasized to different areas of her brain and spine, was without doubt, the hardest moment of my life.

As a parent, you try to prepare your children to develop independence and skills and to bring their talents and passions forward to better the world. For the past 313 days, I have watched my child struggle with walking independently, instead of playing goalie for her hockey team. She has had to work with her non dominant hand while strengthening both to hold a utensil efficiently instead of writing college essays. Instead of getting her hair done for formal dances, she has had to learn how beautiful she is as a bald and strong young woman.

Emma has had about 35 MRIs or head CTs. We relocated from friends, family, and community to Philadelphia, to receive proton radiation while the Boston facility was under maintenance for 8 weeks. We have both spent many, many days as inpatient guests of the PICU or Ellison 18 at MGH.

Emma’s current community includes an amazing team of brilliant MDs, RNs, therapists, techs, therapy dogs, and many other MGH staff. I run this marathon for her journey of bravery, for her future opportunities and for all those that have made this hope possible.

Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.

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