This year, Good Shepherd Community Care was humbled by the overwhelming response to our 2026 Boston Marathon® Charity Team. With only five coveted bibs available, each with a $10,000 fundraising commitment, we received an incredible number of applications from around the world. What stood out most were the deeply personal stories of why people feel called to run for hospice and palliative care.
Our team members are not only athletes; they are advocates who are literally putting their bodies on the line to honor loved ones, elevate compassion, and ensure families have access to the care they need most.
One Good Shepherd runner, Kevin Yang, MD, a physician from San Diego, shared: “As a palliative care physician, I see firsthand how essential this care is. Patients at the end of their lives consistently ask for comfort for themselves and their families. Good Shepherd’s expertise and kindness matter deeply during life’s most vulnerable moments. They are committed to meeting patients and families where they are, and to providing care regardless of ability to pay”.
For another team member, Maggie Queenan, running Boston is a personal tribute to her mom.
“It is so special for me to be able to fundraise for Good Shepherd as my mom had hospice for the last few months of her life. They also provide grief support and community outreach for end-of-life topics completely free, making it accessible for all. This is something that has become a passion of mine as I started my own grief community, Dead Parents & Co, to help connect young adults who have lost a loved one and provide a space to come together to talk about a topic that is often not given the attention it needs. I know my Mom would be so proud to see not only her running buddy tackling the Boston Marathon, but also for the impact I'm hoping to make bringing attention and support to grief.”
Good Shepherd runner John Cueva is excited to bring two things he cares deeply about together: a love for running and a desire to support a mission that truly strengthens the community.
John shares, “Running has taught me more than I ever expected when I first laced up my shoes. It has pushed me through moments of doubt, taught me discipline on days when motivation was nowhere to be found, and shown me the quiet power of perseverance of putting one foot in front of the other even when the path feels long and the voices get louder. Those lessons feel deeply connected to the work Good Shepherd does every day: being steady, being present, and continuing forward with purpose.”
For another runner, Martin Kelledy, this will be his fourth year representing Good Shepherd in the Boston Marathon.
“I ran my first Boston Marathon for Good Shepherd Community Care in 2013, crossing the finish line just eight minutes before the first bomb exploded. I ran again in 2016, months before my 40th birthday, and returned in 2023 for the 127th Boston Marathon, ten years after the bombings. Each time I’ve crossed that iconic Boylston Street finish line, I’ve said it would be my last.”
Team Good Shepherd runner Justin Kneeshaw is proudly representing our organization not only as an athlete, but as a dedicated advocate for our mission. A valued employee of Steelcase, Inc., one of our generous corporate champions, he also leads the company’s Changemakers philanthropic program, which has previously supported Good Shepherd's children’s grief program, HEARTplay. His commitment to uplifting grieving youth and families through his professional leadership, and now his advocacy for our mission through his marathon run, makes his contribution especially meaningful.
We are honored to have these extraordinary individuals represent Good Shepherd on the world’s most iconic marathon course. Their courage, determination, and dedication will help ensure that countless patients and families continue to receive the care, comfort, and connection they deserve.
Visit their fundraising pages
If you are a time-qualified runner with a secured bib, or have secured an invitational bib from another source and want to run on Team Good Shepherd for the 2026 Boston Marathon, we would be thrilled to have you on our team! By joining our team you have access to all of the perks, training runs and fundraising tips. Reach out to Fiona Cusack at fcusack@gscommunitycare.org to learn how to join.
