Running in His Father’s Footsteps
A marathoner’s powerful tribute in support of local cancer care
When Team BILH runner Brandon Dill took to the course of the 130th Boston Marathon® presented by Bank of America, he was quite literally following in his father Jim’s footsteps. Jim—who passed away after a battle with cancer in 2021—was an avid runner who participated in multiple marathons. Boston was his favorite, and he ran the race several times, making it especially meaningful for Brandon to retrace his steps while representing Exeter Hospital—the institution that offered comfort and compassion following Jim’s diagnosis.
Brandon grew up in Stratham, New Hampshire, and had long been familiar with Exeter. His family sought care there throughout his childhood, from stitches to x-rays to sports injuries. However, his relationship with the hospital deepened when his father received the news just before Christmas in 2019 that he had stage 4 cancer. The experience gave Brandon and his family a new appreciation for having high-quality care available close to home. “Being five minutes down the road helped maintain a sense of normalcy, not just for my dad, but for me, my mom, and my brother,” says Brandon, who feels that Exeter’s proximity played a vital role in enhancing his father’s quality of life. Not having to make the journey to Boston for care meant Jim could enjoy precious time with his family, and he was able to continue working during treatment.
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Brandon’s family was touched by the thoughtful, personalized care Jim received. It meant a lot, especially when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, and they relied on Jim’s care team to be their “eyes and ears,” as they could not be present during visits. The family was reassured by Exeter’s dedicated health care professionals. “They treated him like he was one of their own family members,” says Brandon. “It was very comforting to know that that he was receiving exceptional care, not just from a medical standpoint, but from a personal standpoint.” To this day, Brandon and his family are still in touch with the health care providers who supported them during Jim’s treatment.
“Having that high level of care so close is just incredible,” says Brandon, who was proud to support cancer services at Exeter as part of his marathon journey. Brandon and his family have a history of giving back to cancer care at Exeter, fundraising for patients in need, as well as the successful capital campaign to renovate and expand the Michael and Jeanne Falzone Center for Cancer Care. Brandon’s marathon efforts specifically supported the Beyond the Rainbow Fund, which provides financial assistance to cancer patients, helping with expenses such as utilities, food, and rent, among other needs. “The fact that the money supports local cancer patients and their families is incredibly meaningful to me,” says Brandon, who has seen firsthand the impact the disease has had on his community. “Cancer doesn’t discriminate. You never know when you might need these resources.”
Throughout the hard work of fundraising, training, and racing, Brandon kept his reason for running at the forefront. “What really kept me running was the ‘why’ behind it,” he says. “I hope the funds I raised provide some relief to people who are battling cancer so they can concentrate 100% of their efforts on fighting.”