On Sunday, May 7, Colin Dowd, of Suffield, Connecticut, ran the Providence Half Marathon on behalf of Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island. As a team member, Dowd’s goal is to raise $4,000 to help grant wishes for local children with critical illnesses during the organization’s 40th anniversary year. This year, 19 runners participated as Team Make-A-Wish for the Providence Marathon and Half Marathon.
Colin Dowd is pictured on the lawn by the Rhode Island capital, looking surprisingly fresh after running a half marathon (or perhaps pcitured before).
Dowd, 31, previously had his wish to go to Alaska granted by Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island in 2011 as he was undergoing cancer treatment. “Make-A-Wish continues to impact the lives of so many children and their families and I want to help make sure that every future wish is granted,” he said.
Dowd has served on Make-A-Wish committees for the organization’s Wine and Wishes and Swish Night events and has run the Falmouth Road Race to support wishes. He is a member of the organization’s newly formed Emerging Community Leaders Council. An active member of the Suffield Academy community, Dowd is Assistant Director of Development & Alumni Engagement and coaches the school’s golf and ski teams.
Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island was the official charity partner of the 2023 Providence Marathon and Half Marathon, in partnership with Ventures Endurance, part of Gannett’s USA TODAY NETWORK. The race runs through historic downtown sites and offers scenic views of the Providence River and city neighborhoods.
“We are honored to be the official charity partner of such an iconic Providence event,” said Michael Vieira, Rhode Island Regional Director of Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island, “The funds raised through this opportunity will help us grant incredible and necessary wishes for Rhode Island children who deserve the hope and joy that a wish provides. The stories of the runners on Team Make-A-Wish are very moving, and we’re thrilled to give them the platform to honor our mission by running. The makeup of the team is an example of the community involved with granting every wish.”