For Justin Carbone, crossing the Boston Marathon finish line symbolized more than just the realization of a lifelong dream; it was a powerful tribute to his mother, Marie, and the compassionate care she received at Exeter Hospital. “It felt really good to give back, supporting families like mine and the community that raised me,” says the Exeter native, who represented Exeter Hospital as part of Team BILH, Beth Israel Lahey Health’s marathon team.
After his mother was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer, Justin experienced firsthand the impact of access to high-quality local health care services. He recalls what a relief it was that his mom could receive treatment close to home. Being only a five-minute drive away from Exeter Hospital enabled her to maintain a sense of normalcy for both herself and her family. Instead of spending hours commuting to and from Boston for care, she could cheer on Justin and his brother at their school sporting competitions and continue her work as a beloved literacy aid at Main Street Elementary School. “The Oncology Department at Exeter Hospital allowed my mom to continue doing the things she loved with her time, even during her illness,” says Justin.
In addition to the proximity, Justin says that the fact that the hospital is so ingrained in the community and full of familiar faces eased the treatment experience for his mom. “I think it made it feel a little bit more like home, regardless of a difficult situation,” he says. Marie cared deeply about people and developed close relationships with her care team over her nine years of treatment. Justin recalls that she would often talk about her dedicated providers and the latest developments in their lives, and they took the time to learn about her in turn. “It was clear she wasn’t just a patient number or a prescription,” says Justin. “People really got to know her.”
Marie passed away in 2023, but her legacy lives on in the many people whose lives she touched. Giving back was important to her, and Justin now carries that tradition forward. “She instilled a love for service in myself and my brother,” he says. When Justin learned about the opportunity to run the marathon on behalf of Exeter Hospital raising money for the Beyond the Rainbow Fund, he jumped at the chance to support other patients and families affected by cancer in his community. Specifically, the Beyond the Rainbow Fund provides financial assistance to patients in need. “It’s about giving people the opportunity to put all of their energy where it needs to be—and that’s in getting better,” says Justin.
Justin’s efforts brought in more than $25,000 that will allow patients and families to do just that. He feels the funds are not only a testament to his mom’s legacy and how much she is missed, but to the mutual care and support the Exeter community provides one another. “It’s a full circle moment,” he says. “On race day, I just really stepped back and tried to run with my mom in my heart and a smile on my face and understand that it was something bigger than myself that I was a part of.”
Justin on race day