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A trio of runners from the Tri-Valley are taking part in the Boston Marathon next week as part of a fundraiser benefiting cancer research.Â
Set to race for the team are Luc Peterson of Livermore, Natalie Sardinia of Danville and Lisa Vilhauer, who splits her time between Danville and Carnelian Bay near Lake Tahoe.
Each impacted by cancer, these runners are among over 500 participants this year in the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge, the largest and longest-running charity team for the Boston Marathon.
The Dana-Farber participants aim to raise a total of over $8.75 million for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a center missioned with research and clinical care as well as education, community engagement and advocacy. All of the funds are slated for the institute’s Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research.
Set for Monday (April 20), the 130th Boston Marathon spans 26.2 miles of Massachusetts.
“We are all impacted by cancer in one way or another; every mile from Hopkinton to Boston will be a tribute to the survivors, the fighters, and the loved ones we’ve lost,” Vilhauer said.
First-time Boston Marathon runner, Vilhauer said she overcame cancer with the help of Dana-Farber’s Claudia Adams Barr Program.
While training for her 17th marathon, Vilhauer was diagnosed Aug. 1, 2025 with ductal carcinoma in situ, Stage 0 breast cancer.
“I had to immediately pause my training to face a different kind of endurance test — surgery and radiation,” she told the Pleasanton Weekly via email interview.
Vilhauer completed treatment last November and restarted her marathon training.
“This time I am returning to the start line with a profound new perspective,” she explained.
“I chose to run the Boston Marathon as part of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge because I am a direct beneficiary of the science they pioneer,” Vilhauer added. “Their work saves lives, including mine.”
Sardinia, who is also making her debut in the Boston Marathon, said she was motivated by her mom to participate.
Her mother has been fighting Stage 4 colorectal cancer for two years.
“She defies the odds every single day, showing a fighting spirit that has amazed even her doctors,” Sardinia said.
Although it can be challenging for her mom to attend races, she is set to attend the Boston Marathon.
“The thought of her waiting for me at the end, is my ultimate motivation,” Sardinia told Pleasanton Weekly via email interview. “I want to run for her, to show her that her fight has inspired me to do hard things.”
Also seeing his family impacted by cancer, Peterson’s father-in-law was diagnosed with leukemia about a year and a half ago.
His father-in-law received treatment at Dana-Farber and around that time, Peterson participated in his first marathon in 10 years, he said.
During April 2025, his father-in-law received a stem cell transplant from Dana-Farber, Peterson said.
“It went very, very well and he’s doing fantastic now,” he added.
Peterson went on to apply for the challenge to give back to Dana-Farber.
“I want to say thanks,” Peterson said of his mindset in applying. “Thanks for supporting my family and my wife’s family.”
Since the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge began in 1990, it has raised over $140 million for the Claudia Adams Barr Program.
For more information about the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge or to contribute to the runners’ fundraisers, visit danafarber.jimmyfund.org.
