Brothers Raise $15,000 for Breast Cancer at Falmouth Road Race

Two brothers from Cape Cod ran the Falmouth Road Race for a cause close to home. James Benson, 14, and Finn Benson, 11, have raised over $15, 000 in the last four years for the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC)

A Diagnosis During Marathon Training

In 2022, the boys’ mother, Lindsay, was training for her fourth Boston Marathon. Doctors diagnosed her with an aggressive form of breast cancer. She ran the marathon anyway. Less than 48 hours later, she underwent a bilateral mastectomy at Cape Cod Hospital. At that time, James and Finn were just 9 and 6 years old.

“This is something you should never have to explain to a 1st- and 4th-grader,” Lindsay said. “Right after my diagnosis and surgery, we needed to find a way forward.”

Turning Fear Into Action

Instead of standing still, the family channeled their fear into fundraising for MBCC. For the Bensons, raising money isn’t only about donations. It’s about hope and action.

Every mile they run and every dollar they raise brings them closer to a larger goal: preventing other kids from watching a parent face a breast cancer diagnosis.

Four Years, Five Races

Lindsay has since recovered and returned to running. This year, she watched her sons take on the 54th ASICS Falmouth Road Race as members of Team MBCC. It was James’s fifth Falmouth and Finn’s second.

“Running the Falmouth Road Race was a thrilling experience,” James said. “The sound of the crowd cheering mixed in with the hope of finishing helped me keep going even through anything that was challenging me. I raised a lot of money in honor of my mom, who beat breast cancer, and it felt great that the community supported me like that.”

Coalition Praises the Family’s Advocacy

MBCC Executive Director Cheryl Osimo credited the Bensons’ commitment to the cause.

“The Benson family’s dedication and generosity are matched only by their heart,” Osimo said. “We are inspired by their passion every day. This mission is much bigger than MBCC. Everyone deserves a safer, healthier future, and this future can only be achieved by the effort of everyday people like you and me.”

About the Coalition

MBCC is the state’s leading breast cancer organization. It works to prevent the environmental causes of breast cancer through education, research, advocacy, and policy change. The group is encouraging others to follow the Bensons’ example and get involved in prevention efforts.

This article is based on a press release from the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition.