On April 20, during the Boston Marathon, students and alumni from selected University of Massachusetts Boston institutions and members of the community participated in the 2nd annual Running for a Reason: Krystle’s Legacy.
A victim of the Boston Marathon bombings, Krystle Campbell was a business major at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Campbell was originally from Medford, MA. She graduated from the university and was given a posthumous award in 2013. When tragedy struck the 117th Boston Marathon, the UMass Boston community tried to find a way to keep Campbell’s memory alive.
Running for a Reason raises money for the Krystle Campbell Fund; supporters can sponsor any of the numerous runners that partake in this event. One of the runners, Alumni Relations Office employee Robyn Dangora, expressed her thoughts on participating this year. This organization has not only caused people to remember Campbell as a person but to think about what can be done to help others similar to her.
“Having the opportunity to be part of the team has been so incredibly inspirational and humbling.” Dangora continues, “As I became more part of the team I became invested in Krystle’s legacy to help the students.”
In honor of Krystle Campbell, Dick Campbell (no relation to Krystle Campbell) and the Alumni Relations Office at UMass Boston created a $5,000 scholarship through the fund. The scholarship helps support female students who are trying to achieve degrees in business from UMass Boston and UMass Dartmouth.
Though the event is in support of the Krystle Campbell Fund, runners end up making personal ties and connections during the day of the run. During the months leading up to the event, the runners bonded through practices and innumerable other bonding events. Once the marathon started, various member of the UMass community came out.
“A tent that was staffed with members from UMass handing out water … it’s always good to get as many people out there as we can,” says Casey McDonagh, UMass Boston alumna and current director of development in the College of Nursing and Health Services.
Campbell’s life and legacy will continue to touch not only those who were closest to her but members of the UMass and Boston communities for years to come.
If you or anyone else wants to donate or support the Krystle Campbell Fund please go to: runforkrystle.com