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In This Issue:
Doug Horst and Fred Makrauer
Frederick Makrauer, MD, has run alongside his good friend and colleague Doug Horst, MD, in three prior Boston Marathons, but this year he is running to honor his friend of more than 35 years, who is battling bone marrow cancer.
"I wanted to do this to support him as he went through his treatment," said Makrauer, a gastroenterologist at BWH. "He gave me the green light to run for him. It's important to me that people know what an honor it is to represent Doug, BWH and my community."
Makrauer is running this year's Boston Marathon as a member of the Brigham and Women's Hospital Marathon Team. He is also raising money to establish a permanent fund at BWH-the Hepatology Education and Research Fund-to support the post-graduate education of physicians destined for a career in hepatology, the study of the liver and its corresponding diseases.
Horst, a gastroenterologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, recently underwent a successful bone marrow transplant. He has run 30 Boston Marathons in his lifetime and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the American Liver Foundation. He is looking forward to being at the finish line on Marathon Monday to cheer on his friend.
"This year, I will have to enjoy the experience vicariously, recalling the camaraderie of our training runs through Newton Hills and remembering the pain of the last three miles along Beacon Street to the finish line," said Horst. "I admire Fred greatly for taking this on. It's such a reflection of our long-standing friendship."
Horst says he feels as though he's been running alongside Makrauer during his training; he has been coaching him and following his runs remotely from a computer.
Horst and Makrauer met back in the 1970s during their fellowship training at BWFH and St. Elizabeth's Medical Center. They became inseparable friends and have enjoyed developing their medical careers together, spending time with each others' families and watching their kids grow up.
In addition to running, the duo shares a keen interest in helping the community and have already reached their $10,000 goal for the fund. "Our love and support for teaching is one of the factors that makes the fund so attractive to us, in addition to our community spirit," Horst said.
Although this year's Boston Marathon will be a little different without Horst by his side, Makrauer wants his best friend to know that he'll be thinking of him and all he has overcome as he makes his way along the route.
"His attitude is tremendously wonderful," Makrauer said. "He's my friend, my coach and my inspiration. We are in this together every step of the way."
Visit the fund's donation page.