Cancer survivor Jacob Miller of Merrimack will be a Walk Hero in this year’s Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk on Oct. 4. Courtesy photo

MERRIMACK — Twenty-six Merrimack residents will lace up their sneakers on Oct. 4 to take part in this year’s Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk.

Stanley Glowacki and Jacob Miller are two of this year’s Walk Heroes. Walk Heroes are adult and pediatric cancer patients and survivors who provide inspiration and motivation to walkers along the course.

In October 2024, Stanley was just weeks away from his fourth birthday when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic lymphoma that had spread into his spinal column. Now five years old, Stanley’s fight continues. To date, his family’s team, Standing with Stanley, has raised $9,089.

“His heroes help him fight like Spider-Man,” Stanley’s family said in a written statement.

During his junior year at Merrimack High School, Miller, a student-athlete, noticed he was feeling more tired than usual after his games. At the time, he was playing lacrosse, soccer and basketball. When lacrosse season started last spring, things had only gotten worse.

Stanley Glowacki, 5, of Merrimack, will be a Walk Hero in this year’s Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk on Oct. 4. Courtesy photo

Miller’s father and lacrosse coach, Brian Miller, could also see that his son was having difficulty breathing.

Initially, Miller thought it was his asthma, which had been present for most of his life. However, during the first lacrosse game, he suffered a severe asthma attack and was taken to Elliot Hospital in Manchester. Two days later, the Millers learned that this was more than just asthma.

Brian said the x-ray showed a “giant cloud” covering his son’s chest cavity and on April 10, 2024, Miller was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic lymphoma.

Following the diagnosis, Miller spent 23 days at Boston Children’s Hospital, the second-best hospital in the country for treating pediatric cancers, according to US News Health.

Fortunately, there is an 80 percent survival rate for children with acute lymphoblastic lymphoma. With some of the best doctors in the world on his side, the mass in Miller’s chest disappeared within a week.

To date, his family’s team, the Miller Crew, has raised $17,629.

“Being a Jimmy Fund Hero has reminded me that no one fights alone,” said Miller. “Thank you for helping kids like me keep believing in brighter days.”

According to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, acute lymphoblastic lymphoma is a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and accounts for 35 percent of all pediatric cancers.

“Each year, the walk brings our community together in a powerful way, with people of all ages supporting Dana-Farber’s groundbreaking research and patient care,” said Jessica Abbott, assistant vice president of the Jimmy Fund. “For more than three decades, this event has been a celebration of hope, where every step helps fuel breakthroughs, support patients, and inspire progress.”

The walk follows the famed Boston Marathon course. Participants can choose the full course length starting in Hopkinton, Mass., the half marathon starting at Wellesley High School, the 10K starting at Boston College or the 5K starting at Dana-Farber’s Longwood campus.

All routes will conclude at the Jimmy Fund Walk for Dana-Farber Finish Line at Boston Common at the corner of Charles and Beacon streets.

Last year, the walk set a record, raising more than $11.2 million for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Established in 1989, the walk has raised more than $185 million and is the largest single-day walk fundraiser in the country.