Robinson running marathon for Caleb
By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
A popular social networking website has helped lead a fundraising effort in honor of a little boy with local connections.
Teresa Robinson will be running Monday’s Boston Marathon in honor of Caleb Derosier, the 14-month-old son of 1998 Presque Isle High School graduate Derek Derosier, now residing in Maryland, and grandson of Jim and Twink Derosier of Presque Isle.
The plight of Caleb, who is battling a rare form of leukemia, was learned by Robinson through childhood friend Danielle Derosier – Caleb’s aunt – as the two connected with each other on Facebook two years ago.
For the last three years, Robinson has been running for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training program, which trains people to run marathons, half-marathons, triathlons and cycling events while raising money for the LLS.
“My brother played hockey with Derek and were very close friends growing up,” said Robinson. “When I heard about Caleb’s condition last fall, I felt like I wanted to do something to offer my support, so I reached out to his family and asked whether I could run the Boston Marathon in his honor and share his story.
“Part of the mission of the program is also to raise awareness of leukemia and other blood cancers, and being able to share a personal story has really helped in that aspect,” she added.
When Robinson lived in Presque Isle for six years in the 1980s, she attended Gouldville Elementary School, Skyway Middle School and her freshman year at Presque Isle High School before her family moved from the area. Her father, Ian, was the president of McCain Foods during that time.
Robinson, who resides in Goffstown, N.H. and serves as the community relations manager at the New Hampshire Union Leader, a statewide newspaper, took up running for the first time three years ago. She will be running in her second marathon after having also competed in six half-marathons.
The 35-year-old is pleased with amount of money she has raised to date, having already surpassed the $4,800 mark for LLS after setting an initial goal of $4,000.
“I raised the money basically just by reaching out to people I know through e-mails and phone calls,” Robinson said. “I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of people.”
Robinson said Caleb’s name is printed on the official Team In Training jersey she will be wearing in the marathon. A photograph of Caleb is part of the organization’s “Memory Mile” to be displayed at Mile 15 and Mile 20 of the 26.2-mile Hopkinton-to-Boston course, which she said “features photos of people we are running for to remind us why we are doing this.”
Robinson said the Boston Marathon Team in Training team, which has approximately 150 people, has set a goal to raise $1 million for the cause. “We just surpassed the $750,000 mark, so we are well on our way,” she said.
Those interested in supporting the effort can go to Robinson’s fundraising page at http://pages.teamintraining.org/ma/boston11/trobinsy2v.
LLS supports research and offers family services, including assistance with co-pays, travel/lodging for families while in treatment and support groups.
