Josephine “Jo” Henderson - 2026

The diagnosis that changed my life

In February of my junior year of high school, I came home from church camp complaining about a pretty severe stomach ache. Honestly, I thought I was constipated. I had eaten terribly all weekend, so it seemed like a reasonable explanation.

But the pain didn’t go away.

By April, I was taking Miralax every day while touring colleges with friends. By May, I was sitting out of lacrosse practice because moving hurt too much. In June, I went to my pediatrician, got an X-ray, and was told everything looked normal. Then came a summer of more pain and more questions.

In July, I saw the GI department at Boston Children’s. In August, an ultrasound showed nothing. In September, I saw the GYN department. Again, nothing. Then came multiple CT scans and an MRI in October.

All the while, I was trying to be a normal high school student. I was sitting out of cross-country practices, coming home early, and spending hours curled up in a fetal position because the pain was so severe I couldn’t move or speak. I just kept wondering, What could possibly be causing this?

Finally, in November, I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy.

November 14, 2025, was the day my life changed completely.

They found a large, stage-four cancerous tumor in my colon that was pressing against my left ovary. An ovary is about the size of a walnut. Mine had grown to about the size of a peach.

The original plan was to preserve my fertility by saving eggs from my right ovary. But when they scanned me a week later, we learned the cancer had already spread to both ovaries.

My December 9 surgery was moved up to December 3 because my doctors were concerned about how quickly the cancer could spread. At 17 years old, I had both ovaries and a foot and a half of my colon removed.

After recovering from surgery, I started chemotherapy. Five days after New Year’s Eve, I had my port placed, and on January 7, 2026, I began my first of 12 chemo treatments, every two weeks for six months.

Somehow, those six months felt both incredibly long and incredibly short.

I still lived.

I went to Fort Lauderdale over February break. I went to my senior prom. I graduated high school. I went to Cape Cod. And after my final chemo treatment, I even got to go to Europe.

From the outside, you might never have known what I was going through. Unless I started talking because I’m an over-sharer, I probably looked like any other teenage girl.

But behind the scenes, my hair was thinning. I struggled to focus on schoolwork. And I couldn’t drink my favorite thing in the world, an iced latte, because the neuropathy from chemo affected me so badly, especially as treatment went on.

There was so much happening that people couldn’t see.

But I made it through.

I made it through because of God, my surgeons, Dr. Goldberg and Dr. Horowitz, my oncologist, Dr. Kimmie Ng and her NP, Nina Grenon, my incredible chemo nurses, Taylor and Lauren, my biggest inspiration, Ali Hornung, CEO of the Glimmer of Hope Foundation, and the people I love who surrounded me every step of the way.

The Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center at Dana-Farber gave me life. 

Now, I want to give something back.

I want to encourage kids like me to keep living, even when life looks completely different than they imagined. To celebrate the good days. To make the memories. To appreciate the little things.

Because if cancer taught me anything, it’s that we don’t know how many days we have.

So I’m going to live every day like it’s my last, and I hope I can inspire someone else to do the same.

- Jo Henderson
Member, Team Tara

Cristina Banson - 2025

“In 2022, I was in the best health I had experienced in a long time—until March, when I began feeling constantly tired and short of breath. I attributed these symptoms to the long night shifts as an RN at Mass General Hospital and wearing an N95 mask during the pandemic. Eventually during that month, I went to see my primary care provider. They ran several tests and scheduled me for a colonoscopy, which I had postponed during COVID, and which was not available until five months out.

In August 2022, I finally had my colonoscopy.  It was then that I received the life-changing diagnosis: stage 4 colon cancer, with multiple lesions in my liver.

Plans were immediately made to begin chemotherapy, but before treatment could start, I developed a bowel obstruction that required an emergency partial colon resection. Chemotherapy followed. In 2023, I underwent two liver resections. In 2024 I began targeted therapy.  In 2025 I received Y90 radioactive seed treatment, which led to an 18-day hospital stay for pain management and another bowel obstruction. I then went through 10 rounds of radiation.

Through it all, I continue to fight through every challenge, leaning on my strong faith and resilience.

I’m deeply grateful to my oncologist, nurses, other medical personnel, friends, and extended family who have prayed for me and supported me through every step of this journey.  I’m also very thankful for my husband and two daughters, whose strength and unwavering support have carried me through the most difficult moments.

In 2023, I walked my first Jimmy Fund Walk with my daughter as members of Team Tara and in support of the work of Dr. Kimmie Ng. Reaching the finish line brought me to tears—it felt surreal to have the strength to walk a mile after everything I had been through. The Jimmy Fund Walk has now become a yearly tradition, whether in person or virtually. It’s my way of giving back and staying connected to a community that has given me so much hope.”

– Cristina Banson
Member, Team Tara

Raquel Crowley - 2023

There are many ways to describe Raquel... kind, humble, and quick with a smile... proud mother of 4, loving wife, super sister, daughter, and aunt... creative cook, knowledgeable gardener, accomplished sales operations professional... resilient, optimistic, heroic non-small cell lung cancer fighter. As a healthy non-smoker who enjoys an active lifestyle, receiving her diagnosis just weeks shy of her 49th birthday rocked Raquel's and her family's world. Despite dealing with side effects from the difficult treatments, the constant waves of emotion, and enrollment in several clinical trials, Raquel hasn't missed a beat when it comes to maintaining her organized household, being the best Mom to her children, and functioning as a high performer in her career. Raquel credits several important factors in helping maintain her positive attitude during her challenging journey, including: DFCI's personalized care, numerous support systems, and cutting edge research; the unwavering support from her family and friends; and her personal motto of "take the trips and take the walks." In 2022 we will walk and raise funds for lung cancer research in your honor, Raquel... you are an inspiration!

Peter Lovetere - 2023

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of an incredible human being and cherished team member, Peter Lovetere. Peter passed away peacefully at sunrise on a beautiful summer morning.

Pete was the ultimate family man. A humble yet incredibly proud husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, Pete was always surrounded by people who love and adore him. Pete’s wife, Kathy, is his biggest fan and no one is more grateful for life and love than these two! They will have been married 40 years on September 17th, and together, they watched their beautiful family grow to include their two sons’ and daughter’s lovely spouses, as well as four adorable grandkids.

With grace, patience, and humility, Pete built his own family business and The Carpet Workroom has proudly made homes and businesses around New England more beautiful, cozy, and comfortable.

He loved the outdoors and enjoyed countless hikes with family and friends. When Kathy faced her own cancer battle in 2013, Pete never left her side, and Kathy did the same for him when he received a daunting diagnosis of lung cancer. Even while in treatment, Peter hiked, ran, worked, traveled, and never skipped a beat.

Pete never passed up a chance to play with his grandkids or visit family. He had been an avid supporter of Team Tara for the last ten years, donating and walking with his most generous heart. We are so grateful to have walked with Pete and to have shown him that our whole team stood with him full of love and hope.

In 2023, we will honor Pete, again, and continue to fight for a cure for lung cancer. May Pete’s light continue to shine on his countless loved ones and may he Rest In Peace.

Amy Ennis - 2024

“Eight years ago, I had severe abdominal pain that landed me in the emergency room, where I was later diagnosed with stage III colon cancer. I had part of my colon removed and did 12 rounds of chemotherapy, but less than a year after that, the cancer spread to my lungs. Since then, I’ve had six lung surgeries, radiation, brain surgery, more radiation, and now I am back on chemo every other week. I’m sure everything I mentioned sounds horrendous to anyone reading it, but I’m so grateful for the care I’ve received.”

“I’ve had so many wonderful days, weeks, and years, thanks to my incredible care team, family, and friends. My husband and daughter keep me going every single day. We started participating in the Jimmy Fund Walk to give back and create a tradition. I’ve seen the money my team has raised directly put to good use at Dana-Farber through new procedures, policy changes, and more. That drives me to keep going every year.”

“I’d like to take this moment to encourage everyone to get a colonoscopy if you haven’t had one. The recommended age is now 45, but if there is any family history or symptoms, it should be done as soon as possible. The symptoms of colon cancer can be as simple as constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight gain or loss. Please listen to your body and get screened.”

– Amy Ennis
Team Captain of Bushy Strong

Jane Waggett - 2022

In November 2008, my wife Jane, at the age of 47, was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. What a bombshell diagnosis after thinking she’d only pulled a muscle in a Zumba class! Dana-Farber was a no-brainer for us. Sadly, 10 months after her diagnosis and just three weeks before our son Henry’s tenth birthday, Jane passed away.”

“I started walking in the Jimmy Fund Walk with Team Tara in 2015 to honor Jane. My support has evolved over the years. Sure, initially I did do it to honor my loved ones, but it started becoming something more after hearing and listening to the experiences of others. It became a fight! A fight for research. A fight to find better treatments. A fight for a cure, so others don’t have to die from this horrible disease. Just recently, I read an article on Dana-Farber’s blog about advances in immunology treatments. This gives me hope and a feeling of satisfaction that we are fighting back.”

“This will be my eighth year walking and I am looking forward to getting back on the marathon route with Team Tara again. There’s nothing like crossing that finish line at Copley! The hope and positivity in the air is as thick as peanut butter. We are all joined together for the same fight.

– Patrick Waggett
Member, Team Tara

Jim Collins - 2021

Jim Collins was many things to many people. He was a husband... a father... a son... a brother... an uncle... a friend... a colleague... and so much more. He had a zest and a passion for life like no other. Every day and every thing was an adventure, some more carefully planned and executed than others. Which made his devastating Stage IV colon cancer diagnosis in October of 2017 such a shock. Never one to be overdramatic or to look for pity, Jim took his diagnosis in stride and simply asked what he needed to do to get better. Not once did he Google anything about his treatment or prognosis. As he said “the internet is full of other people’s stories... I’m going to write my own story, and I’m going to beat this.” They say that a person’s mental attitude is just as important as their physical health when entering a fight like this. Jim truly believed he was going to be cured and in doing so made everyone else believe. Jim approached his cancer battle with the same enthusiasm and sense of humor that he had approached everything else in his life. For every chemo treatment he picked a theme and a song...a chemo ear worm that was relevant to whatever was happening at the time. He wore costumes and his trademark gold Elvis sunglasses. He didn’t shy away from taking pictures each time even as the chemo and the cancer took their physical toll. Jim’s cancer battle ultimately came to an end on January 16, 2019 at the age of 45. In his 45 years, Jim did enough to fill a thousand lives. He worked hard, he played hard, and he loved unconditionally. He smiled and laughed and took advantage of everything life had to offer. Everyone around him is better for having known him, and owe it to Jim and to themselves to live their lives with even an ounce of the passion that he did. Team Tara dedicates the 2021 fundraising and walk season to Jim and his family. All funds are designated to Dr. Kimmie Ng and her groundbreaking metastatic colorectal cancer research. It is our hope that someday soon there will be cure for this devastating disease.

Patrick Beauregard - 2020

In 2019, Team Tara chose a true American hero as one of its Hope Award recipients. Pat Beauregard, just 31 at the time, was battling Stage 4 colon cancer with the love and support of his amazing wife and college sweetheart, Amanda. 

As Pat’s obituary so eloquently explained: Throughout his cancer battle that included over 40 rounds of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and many surgeries and procedures, Patrick chose to remain positive, living by the mantra "Panda Power… Pray, Hope, Don't Worry." It is this positive attitude and will to live that allowed him to accomplish his final goal – meeting his son, Noah Patrick, on July 10, 2020. ... It's nearly impossible to express just how great of a man Patrick Beauregard was. Caring, conscientious, unselfish, reliable, loyal, hilarious yet humble, quick-witted yet thoughtful, truly a man of family, God and country.

Kristina Rocha - 2019

For 2019, the funds raised by Team Tara honored the legacy of Kristin Rocha. Kristin was a kindergarten teacher, a mother of two young children, a dedicated wife, and a beautiful soul. She faced breast cancer with grace and dignity until she passed away on January 3, 2018 at the age of 47.

Kristin was passionate about metastatic cancer research and in her honor, for 2019, we focused our efforts on a clinical trial for metastatic colon cancer patients. Dr. Kimmie Ng of The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute lead this research and we believe her efforts will benefit all cancer patients in the long term.

Steve Staffiere - 2017 & 2018

Steve Staffiere was, first and foremost, a family man. Steve loved nothing more than to spend time with his wife, Linda, and their two children, Michael and Marissa. Whether he was watching his kids play sports, taking them on family trips, or just hanging in the living room, Steve was happiest when he was surrounded by his family.

Despite a devastating diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in the summer of 2015, Steve continued to live with strength, courage, humor, and grace. He passed away on May 31, 2016 at the age of 53. In 2017 and 2018, Team Tara dedicated the Jimmy Fund Walk to Steve and his family, designating all Team Tara funds to Steve’s oncologist, Dr. Kimmie Ng.

Justin Perry - 2016

In July 2015, Justin Perry spoke to a room full of Jimmy Fund Walk participants before a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. Amy and Tara were lucky enough to be in the audience that day and as soon as he was done speaking, Amy and Tara ran right up to him; they just had to meet this incredible person. From that point on, Justin awed and inspired Team Tara with his selfless personality and courageous spirit. 

Diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013 at the tender age of 23, Justin still found a way to live life to the fullest. He married the love of his life, Michelle, and continued his passions for hunting, fishing (including ice fishing), and bargain-shopping. His dog, Camo, was always by his side. Team Tara continues to walk with Justin in our heart.