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Shah walks to support cancer research, honor relatives’ memory

Manan Shah poses for a photo following his completion of the marathon route of the Jimmy Fund Walk on Oct. 5.

Hopkinton resident Manan Shah recently completed the Jimmy Fund Walk to raise money for cancer research.

Shah completed the marathon route, one of four options available to participants. The course stretches from Hopkinton to the Boston Common.

“A lot of training went into it,” Shah said. “It’s very tough to find the time to train as much as you want to.” He added that due to construction in Boston, the total course was closer to 27.5 miles.

Shah’s walk was motivated in part by a professional interest in cancer research. He has worked for many years in the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on advancing therapies for rare diseases. He said that in his role he supported development for cancer drugs, including one for cancer in children.

“[I] did what I could to … help get that product into the U.S. because it was on a drug shortage,” said Shah. After he switched from those drugs to rare diseases — even contributing to work on the COVID-19 vaccine — Shah wanted to continue contributing to cancer research however he could.

Cancer also hits close to home for Shah. “My grandfather previously passed away because of cancer,” he said. “He was very close to me.” He noted his aunt passed away from cancer as well.

Shah began doing the Jimmy Fund Walk in 2023, starting with the 5K route. Deciding he wanted to do more, he started training for the full marathon walk. Shah’s fundraising goal this year was $1,500, and as of Wednesday he had raised $1,292. His fundraising portal will remain open until Oct. 31.

With his most recent walk success under his belt, Shah has begun thinking about how he can step things up. He said he is considering the Boston Marathon if he can pick up his speed and move from walking into running.

“It’s something I’m looking to do — or at least do the qualifications,” Shah said.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

The Select Board on Tuesday discussed ways it can improve the process for approving common victualer’s licenses following a previous issue with Crust & Co.

Animal control officer Bill Proctor provided an update to the Select Board Tuesday regarding a dog it had deemed dangerous in a prior hearing.

The Elementary School Building Committee heard about some abutter complaints relating to the Charleswood School project at its meeting Tuesday night.

This week’s Police Log features reports of juveniles trying to take a traffic cone, someone attempting to enter a resident’s house and a broken-up teen party.

Janus Connelly, 73, passed away on Oct. 21. She was a graduate of Hopkinton High School.

June Bouvier, 91, passed away Oct. 17.

Town meetings tonight include the Community Preservation Committee (7).

Photo of the Day

A vehicle sits on its side on School Street after apparently striking a tree close to the roadway on a wet Wednesday morning. According to police, the sole occupant was not injured.

PHOTO/HOPKINTON POLICE DEPARTMENT