Running for the Support: Cyndi Holohan Takes on the Boston Marathon for Children Who Are Grieving

When Cyndi Holohan‘s mother died when Cyndi was only five, she didn’t have access to grief support. There were no peer groups, no camps, and no dedicated spaces where she could process her loss. She carried that absence with her into adulthood, wondering how different things might have been if she had a place to turn. Now, she’s making sure today’s grieving children don’t have to go through the same experience alone.

This year Cyndi takes on her biggest challenge yet—the Boston Marathon—running to support The Children’s Room and its mission to provide children and families with the grief support she wishes she had as a child.

A Personal Commitment to Supporting Grieving Children

Cyndi’s connection to grief support is deeply rooted in both personal experience and her volunteer work. Experiencing the death of her mother shaped her childhood in ways she couldn’t fully understand at the time. As an adult, she discovered Comfort Zone Camp, a nonprofit that provides free grief camps for children who have experienced the death of a parent or sibling. The experience was eye-opening.

“I immediately thought that I wished I could have gone as a kid,” Cyndi shared. “It would have made me feel less isolated, more comfortable with my story, and given me another way to heal.”

She felt called to action, knowing there were other kids like her who could benefit from support but didn’t know where to find it. Since 2022, she has been a dedicated volunteer, serving on the Massachusetts Regional Advisory Council and as Co-Chair of the Board.

While she never had access to grief resources as a child, her hope is that today’s grieving kids will. Through her involvement, she learned about The Children’s Room, which frequently refers families to Comfort Zone Camp and vice versa. The more she saw the impact of grief support programs, the more determined she became to help make them accessible to children who need them most.

A Marathon With Meaning

Cyndi’s love for running started in high school and grew throughout her 20s. She found camaraderie in local races, from 5Ks to half marathons, and eventually started traveling for destination races, including the St. Jude’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon and the Grief Relief 5K for Comfort Zone Camp.

After years of thinking, “Maybe I’ll run a marathon someday,” she’s finally making it happen—right on the edge of 40.

“As equally important to me as running this race is supporting an organization where my fundraising efforts will go toward one of my favorite causes,” she said. “This past year, more kids in my personal network have needed the services that TCR provides, and my heart aches for them.”

Every Step Toward Hope

Cyndi is running for the kids who feel alone in their grief, for the families trying to rebuild after loss, and for a future where no child has to go without support.

By running for The Children’s Room, she’s turning her miles into something meaningful—ensuring that children and families can find connection, guidance, and hope when they need it most.

To support Cindi’s fundraising campaign and learn more about her run, visit childrensroom.org/boston-marathon.