TIM'S TEAM
TIM'S TEAM
Thank you for your interest in the
Timothy O'Connell Foundation.
Timothy O’Connell, in whose honor and loving memory the Foundation was established in 2008, courageously battled acute myeloid leukemia between May 2007 and his death on September 9, 2008, just two days after his tenth birthday. His loving spirit and warm smile will always live with those who were lucky enough to know him.
From the very first days of Tim's diagnosis, family, friends, members of the Holliston, Massachusetts community, and others who were touched by Tim's strength and courage offered to make donations in tribute, ultimately resulting in the organization of the Foundation. This website has been established to raise awareness of The Timothy O'Connell Foundation and its goals.
Since its founding, The Timothy O'Connell Foundation has raised over $1,250,000! To date, we have granted over $1,000,000 in gifts to worthy cancer-related causes, and have awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships to students pursuing health-related fields of study.
Boston Marathon
Support Our Runners!
Special thanks to our past and present team members
who have generously raised funds on behalf of
Tim's Team over the past 14 years!
Boston Marathon
Support Our Runners!
Special thanks to our past and present team members
who have generously raised funds on behalf of
Tim's Team over the past 14 years!
.
BRENDAN O’CONNELL
Brendan is running his second consecutive Boston Marathon in 2025. After years as a spectator, cheerleader, and non-runner, Brendan ran his first-ever marathon in 2024. He is excited to embrace the challenge of another marathon, with the support of his family, his friends, his students (who know him as Monsieur O'Connell) and colleagues, and all the incredible supporters of The Timothy O'Connell Foundation. He is especially thrilled to be part of the 2025 Boston Marathon Tim's Team runners - a group that includes his mom, his brothers Matt and Chris, his former teacher and colleague/mentor Claire Picard, and Brandon Murphy - and to run in memory of his younger brother, Tim.
JOANNE O’CONNELL
Joanne O’Connell is running the Boston Marathon this year to raise money for the Foundation! It is her 12th marathon. Running always brings her closer to Timmy, who continues to inspire her with every step she takes.
MATT O’CONNELL
Matt is thrilled and surprised to be running his first marathon! After seeing Joanne run for Tim so many times growing up, and seeing Brendan join her last year, Matt agreed to put in for a number to run with mom, but only if Brendan and Chris were willing to do the same - and here we are! Matt has never been a long distance runner, but is confident he can get from Hopkinton to Boston on foot this one time. He is excited for the opportunity to celebrate Tim’s memory in this way, and looks forward to raising money for all the worthy causes that the Foundation supports.
CHRIS O’CONNELL
Chris O'Connell is running the Boston Marathon as a member of Tim's Team in what is his introduction to distance running. After 4 years as a collegiate rower, Chris is getting off the water and hitting the road in memory of his older brother, Tim. Having grown up watching the marathon every year, including in support of his mother Joanne and all the other Tim's Team runners, he is ready to take on the course himself to support the Timothy O'Connell Foundation.
CLAIRE PICARD
Our dear friend Claire Picard is running the marathon again in support of the Foundation. Claire “is honored to run with Tim’s family!” and calls it “the opportunity of a lifetime!” All the O’Connell brothers—Tim, Brendan, Matt and Chris-- were taught by Madame Picard as 3rd graders, and it is truly special for all of us that “we will all be on the marathon's starting line together!” Claire credits Tim and his family with her becoming a runner: “Tim’s memory first motivated me to lace up my running shoes several years ago. Tim’s courage, positive outlook, and love for life will inspire me throughout the training miles and marathon run. On Monday, April 21st I’ll experience the joy of running with my dear friend and coach Joanne, along with my students and friends Brendan, Matthew, and Christopher. With these four courageous and resilient O’Connells and your support, we will reach the finish line! Go Tim’s Team!”
BRANDON MURPHY
Brandon Murphy has had deep roots with the Boston Marathon, cheering for his mom over the course of her 24 marathons. He is an avid philanthropist and serial charity fundraiser who is incredibly proud to be part of something that is far bigger than himself. This will be Brandon’s first marathon running along side with O’Connell family and fulfilling a life long dream of running alongside his mom! The Timothy O’Connell Foundation has hit home with this Bellingham native and the challenge of a 26.2 mile run feeds Brandon's internal drive to help those just like Timmy and their families, one step at a time!
Kaylee Osterberger
We are grateful to all of the past marathon team members who have generously raised funds on behalf of Tim's Team over the past 14 years!
Bobby Kiley
Claire Picard
Jeff McLinden
Annalisa Michielli
Matt Picard-Fraser
Rob Young
Allan Fraser
Don Quindley
John Mulvaney
Philip Picard-Fraser
Jaime Murphy
Claire Picard
Kate Lee
Max Athy
The Foundation
The Timothy O'Connell Foundation
The Foundation has awarded over $1,000,000 in gifts
and more than $150,000 in scholarships
The Foundation
The Timothy O'Connell Foundation
The Foundation has awarded over $1,000,000 in gifts
and more than $150,000 in scholarships
The Timothy O’Connell Foundation is a
501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, established in 2008
in honor and loving memory of Timothy O'Connell.
With the generous support of Holliston residents and many others, The Foundation has raised more than $1,250,000 to help children and families struggling with pediatric cancer and bereavement. Everyone's support of Timmy Cakes, Tim's Trot, Tim Ties, the Boston Marathon runners for the Foundation and the Orange Appeal adds up and makes a difference in the lives of children with cancer.
We have given many donations to organizations that helped our family - and continue to help families - through treatment and bereavement.
Beneficiaries of The Timothy O'Connell Foundation’s support include:
Make-A-Wish Foundation
The University of Minnesota’s Timothy O’Connell Memorial Fund for the Study of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Jimmy Fund programs and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Camp Sunshine
Flashes of Hope
Alex's Lemonade Stand
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s BEAT AML Campaign
Pan Mass Challenge / Pedals for Pediatrics
Give Kids the World
Children's Hospital Boston
Be the Match (The National Marrow Donor Program)
“Since its founding, The Timothy O’Connell Foundation has raised over $1,250,000! To date, we have granted over $1,000,000 in gifts to worthy cancer-related causes, and have awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships to students pursuing health-related fields of study.”
Tim's Trot
Tim's TROT
Tim's Trot
Tim's TROT
The Tenth and Final Tim's Trot was held on
September 17, 2022, and it was a huge success.
Thanks to all who sponsored, ran, walked, and volunteered
for this last and best of our ten fun runs in memory of Tim,
and to all who participated over the years!
Thank you to all of our 2019 sponsors, volunteers and participants.
Together with more than 850 Trotters we raised over $20,000 for the Foundation!
Thank you for your continued support!
If you have any questions, or if you are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Joanne O’Connell at joanneoconnell@comcast.net or 508-662-7282.
*not a school sponsored event
Photos contributed by Andrea Murphy + the Holliston Reporter
Timmy Cakes
Timmy Cake Sales
Timmy Cakes
Timmy Cake Sales
Stay Tuned!
“The generosity of so many in Holliston and surrounding communities who give to The Timothy O’Connell Foundation by buying a cake at our September cake sale fundraiser, by running in Tim’s Trot, by supporting the Foundation’s Boston Marathon runners, and by volunteering their time for these and other events, has enabled the Foundation to make several major gifts again this year. ”
The Orange Appeal
The Orange Appeal
Our 7 Orange Appeal events raised over $275,000…from ticket sales,
silent auction bids and donations! Thank you for your support!
The Orange Appeal
The Orange Appeal
Our 7 Orange Appeal events raised over $275,000…from ticket sales,
silent auction bids and donations! Thank you for your support!
Our 7th event and final ORANGE APPEAL took place on
April 11, 2019 at the Barn at Gibbet Hill in Groton, Massachusetts.
2017 Photos
Photos contributed by Margot Lurie
2016 Photos
