Last year nearly 9,000 participants and 1,000 volunteers helped raise more than $8.2 million for Dana-Farber cancer research and compassionate patient care in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk.

This year, Karen Bristow will be walking for the fifth time in the event, which has helped to raise more than $100 million since 1989.

The historic 26.2-mile route follows the same path as the Boston Marathon typically held in April and raises more money in a single day than any other walk.

The funds raised that day benefit Dana-Farber research. Dana-Farber, a leader in cancer treatment and research, is a principal teaching affiliate for Harvard Medical School and is a designated comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute. Similarly the money benefits The Jimmy Fund to provide care and treatment for both adult and pediatric cancer patients.

Bristow will be walking for the fifth year in a row as part of the Ovarian Cancer Brigade to honor her friend Mary Sayles, a former City Hall receptionist who passed in 2011 and mother to Jenny Sayles, a Warwick firefighter.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cancer in women and Bristow hopes to raise awareness for the cause as well as finances for the fundraiser.

Bristow is hosting a fundraiser Wednesday, August 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Warwick Firefighters Home, 750 Warwick Ave. There will be wine, beer, food, raffles, a silent auction and more. Tickets are $20 a person and children get in for free. Tickets are available at the Warwick Fire Department headquarters 111 Veterans Memorial Dr. Those unable to attend but who would still like to make a donation can visit jimmyfundwalk.org/2016/karen1234

The walk has several different courses of varying lengths from just three miles to the whole marathon route, but everyone finishes around the same time at Copley Square. The end of the walk has a speaking program, live entertainment and food and beverages.

To register for the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai on Sunday, Sept. 25 to support a walker or to volunteer, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org.

For more information on the Jimmy Fund visit www.JimmyFund.org and for Dana-Farber visit www.dana-farber.org. You can also follow both on Facebook and Twitter.