by Danielle Frawley

Shelburne residents and husband and wife Daniel Bean and Jeannette Voss will be two of nearly 8,000 people walking in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk on Sept. 12. This is the seventh year that the couple will walk in tribute to loved ones who have suffered through cancer. Although Voss has lived in Shelburne for over 30 years and Bean for seven; the couple has lived together in Shelburne for as long as they have been married or nearly five and a half years.

Voss was inspired to walk in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk because of those close to her who had died of cancer. Voss watched a good friend, Ginny Starr, suffer with breast cancer for many years, before passing away.

"A friend of mine told me about the Jimmy Fund Walk," explained Voss. "And I said to myself, ‘I can do this; I would like to do something that was more than writing a check.'"
Bean's personal experience was his son, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer over 20 years ago. Because of early detection he has recovered and is now healthy and doing great. Currently, Bean's nephew, who lives in the Boston area, is suffering with cancer. Voss and Bean are walking for him and many others whose lives have been touched by cancer.
Voss said that she is pleased with the Jimmy Fund because their cancer research exceeds other charities. Bean added that over 90 percent of the money raised goes to research and patient or family care.

Voss came up with the team name, "The Paper Cranes." The name comes from the book "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes," by Eleanor Coerr. The story is about Japanese children who were stricken with leukemia after the explosion of the atomic bomb. The premise is that when 1,000 paper cranes were made a cure would take place. Voss and Bean walk with the idea that 1,000 prayers for good health are sent to all those with cancer.

The group, that typically includes 9 or 10 walkers, completes the entire marathon in approximately eight hours. This year there are seven people walking with The Paper Cranes. There are five people who have walked each year with Voss and Bean.
To support The Paper Cranes' efforts visit www.jimmyfundwalk.org and click on The Paper Cranes to make a donation. The group has raised between $40,000 and $50,000 each year. Over the past seven years, the group has raised $250,000. If you are interested in being a corporate sponsor, please contact Voss or Bean at 985-8545 or email them at vossjc@hotmail.com.