NEWBURYPORT — Tomorrow morning Michael Allard will go out early to complete one of his final runs before he pounds the pavement in the Boston Marathon on April 21. But this time, the practice run will have a surprise ending.
"Mike is down to the wire," his wife Jennifer said. "He is in the fundraising field as director of Massachusetts General Hospital development and he is great at his job but he is not so great at asking family and friends to contribute."
Jennifer Allard has decided to show support for her husband as well as bring him closer to his goal of raising $3,000 for pediatric oncology by holding the "surprise fundraiser" for her husband at her Spofford Street home. Jennifer has said she has no idea how many people will show up for the fundraiser on Saturday, having lost count of the amount of fliers, e-mails and invitations she has sent out but hopes the whole city comes by.
"He has no clue we are doing this," she said, convinced a newspaper story won't clue him in. "We will have games for the little ones and face painting, even bunny petting. Anyone who wants to stop by and just wish him good luck, even a dollar will totally make a difference."
Michael Allard, the father of four, is running the marathon for Liberty Meisl, 5, who was diagnosed with leukemia when she was 3 years old. Liberty and the Allards' son Wyatt, 4, are best friends, having met at Mrs. Murray's Preschool in Newburyport before the Meisls relocated to Sturbridge two weeks ago for work.
"Wyatt calls Liberty his girlfriend," Jennifer said with a laugh. "We found out she has leukemia and is being treated at Mass. General where Michael works. Liberty's family approached Michael to become patient-partnered."
Brenda Meisl, Liberty's mother, hoped Michael would run for Liberty as she thought it was ironic that their children had become such close friends and her own daughter was receiving treatment at the very place Michael works.
"This is such a great thing," Meisl said. "The best part is Liberty and Michael had no clue about each other but hit it off form day one."
The Meisl family will be at the fundraiser on Saturday, as well as many of the family's supporters from the region.
"I'm amazed by the support and how many good people have helped us from day one," Meisl said. "From the moment Liberty was diagnosed the community has been incredible. The hardest part was leaving her old school."
Brenda Meisl still drives Liberty to dance lessons once a week at Steppin Out Dance Academy in Kingston, N.H.
Although this is the second time Michael Allard will run as part of the MassGeneral Marathon Team in the marathon, Jennifer says this one has a special meaning for her husband, having such a connection with the Meisls. Michael's brother-in-law, Chris Bolan, was diagnosed with prostate cancer recently, giving the race even more meaning.
"After his first marathon he said he would never do it again," Jennifer said. "But it was still in the back of his mind and when Liberty's parents suggested it, he jumped at it."
When Michael returns from his 14-mile practice run on Saturday morning, there will be a crowd in his driveway cheering him on.
"I am just blown away by how nice people are," Jennifer said. "We just want to show him how supported he is. He has been away so much, out running and working. We want him to feel the love."
Allard is at the halfway mark of fundraising by taking donations through his Web site, sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital.
"Knowing your patient-partner and their family are at mile 20 cheering you on is the biggest motivation for everybody," Michael Allard has said. "Six more miles doesn't seem so bad after that."
His team, which is dedicated to raising money for pediatric oncology, has come a long way since it was begun in 1998 by Dr. Howard Weinstein, having raised $4 million with all proceeds benefiting the children.
Weinstein has run the race ever since and has opened his home, at mile 20 in Newton, for patients and their families. The Meisls will be there as well, as Liberty will finish her treatments just days before Allard runs.
"He is in the last couple of weeks of training and this is the push he needs to do it," Jennifer said. "His quadriceps hurt but he is running in Liberty and Chris' honor and doesn't think twice about his own body."
If You Go
What: Surprise Fundraiser for Michael Allard's run in the Boston Marathon in honor of Liberty Meisl
When: Saturday at 11 a.m.
Where: 4 Spoffard St.
To Donate: visit http://www.firstgiving.com/michaelallard
