After a cancer diagnosis, she ran the 2025 Boston Marathon. Now she’s back again.

Boston Marathon

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute cared for her mother, father-in-law, and now her.

By Kelly Chan

January 23, 2026 | 1:56 PM

1 minute to read

In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon athletes share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston. Looking for more race day content? Sign up for Boston.com’s pop-up Boston Marathon newsletter.

Name: Gia DiDonato-Sroczenski
Age: 48
City: Webster

I am deeply honored to have been selected to run the 2026 Boston Marathon as part of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team. Running has been a defining part of my life for many years, and Boston has been especially meaningful to me for the past 13. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute holds a special place in my heart, having cared for my mother with breast cancer, my father-in-law with melanoma, and most recently, me.

In early 2024, I discovered a breast nodule that initially appeared harmless. Follow-up imaging remained inconclusive, but due to extremely dense breast tissue, my doctor recommended a baseline MRI. That MRI revealed abnormalities, and after multiple MRIs and biopsies, I was diagnosed with Stage 0 breast cancer (DCIS). Because the affected area was large — about 9 cm. — I ultimately needed a mastectomy and chose to proceed with a double mastectomy.

In March 2025, I met my surgical team at Dana-Farber. Knowing how important running Boston was to me, they encouraged me to run the 2025 marathon just nine days before surgery as a mental outlet. That race became one of the most emotional of my life, surrounded by family and friends along the course and at the finish.

Recovery required weeks of physical rehabilitation and even more time to process the emotional impact. The unwavering support of my family, friends, coworkers, and care team made all the difference.

My experience inspired me to join the 2026 Dana-Farber Marathon team for my comeback Boston. Through running, I aim to show my teenage children and others that obstacles can be overcome with resilience, patience, and support. I am proud to be lacing up for my 50th marathon and 14th consecutive Boston on April 20, and I am grateful for the support along the way!

Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.

Kelly Chan

Content Producer

Kelly Chan is a content producer at Boston.com. She designs multimedia content on-site and across social media platforms, and experiments with new ways to engage readers.