Residents from the Tri-Town are taking a stand — and lots of steps — against cancer. 

Susan Camacho of Marion and Ernest Surprenant of Mattapoisett have joined thousands of other walkers for the annual Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. 

In previous years, the event brought walkers along the Boston Marathon course. The event, like the marathon itself, has gone virtual this year due to the coronavirus. 

“It’s a really fun event when you can do it in Boston,” Camacho said, remembering all the people who normally cheer the walkers on at the in-person event. 

The Jimmy Fund comprises community-based fundraising events and other programs that solely and directly benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s lifesaving mission to provide compassionate patient care and groundbreaking cancer research for children and adults.

“While we can’t see everyone in person this year, we are excited for the virtual programing which will give participants the opportunity to support breakthroughs in cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,” Zack Blackburn, director of the walk, said in a press release. “Together, from a safe distance, we will take critical strides in the journey to conquer cancer.”

But the switch to a virtual walk didn’t stop Camacho, who walked a 10k for the cause this year, even though she said she normally only does the 5k walk. 

Camacho is a dentist who works at Boston University, and walks with a group of other dentists called Miles and Smiles every year. 

But she said she first got involved with the fight against cancer when her father died of lung cancer. 

“Since that time, I’ve been donating to cancer societies and research,” Camacho said. 

Camacho and Surprenant both have fundraising pages on The Jimmy Fund’s website, which are still accepting donations through Nov. 4. 

“Any amount is wonderful,” Camacho said.

Camacho’s page can be found here. 

Surprenant’s page can be found here.