For those loved ones lost and surviving, Warwick residents are getting ready to walk the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk.

The Sept. 27 walk goes along the historic 26.2-mile route for an event that raises more money in a single day than any other walk.

This year the walk has an overall fundraising goal of $8.2 million and all funds will go towards the Jimmy Fund for adult and pediatric patient care as well as cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

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.

Zack Blackburn, assistant vice president of the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, said, “The Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai unites thousands of people young and old – from adults, children, parents, neighbors, colleagues, cancer patients, to cancer survivors – who share a unified goal to cure cancer. Their dedication and commitment enables Dana-Farber to make progress on cancer care and research.”

In the past 27 years the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk has raised over $100 million, and this year over 8,500 people are expected to walk. All walkers must raise a minimum of $300, and those who raise $1,500 or more are considered “pacesetters.”

Both walkers from Warwick are trying to exceed both amounts.

Donna Ross is a breast cancer survivor of nearly 25 years and will be walking in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk for the third year in a row. She did not visit Dana-Farber, but two of her loved ones have and she said, “The brilliant minds that walk those halls are second to none.”

For 10 years Ross sat by the side of her friend while she attended treatments and fought tooth and nail against her cancer before passing. Then again she visited Dana-Farber to accompany her son, now a survivor as well, during his cancer treatments.

“It was so surreal for me because I had to watch my child go through some of the same things I did,” Ross said. “I have just seen such amazing care provided there. If you are unfortunate enough to have cancer you need to be in Boston at Dana-Farber.”

Ross walks with her entire family as well as some friends as a unit, Team Ross, and collectively they are all trying to raise over $15,000.

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. Ross said the ending celebration is just “beautiful”, but the entire walk is always inspirational.

“There is just so much camaraderie on the day of the walk, from the people you’re walking with and the people who cheer you on all the way,” she said.

To donate to Ross and Team Ross, visit www.jimmyfundwalk.com/2015/donnaross/1976.

Karen Bristow walks in the memory and honor of her friend, Mary Sayles, a former City Hall receptionist who passed in 2011.

Bristow as well as her sister Kathleen Leamy, walk with the Ovarian Cancer Brigade, a team of walkers devoted to raising awareness for the fifth leading cancer in women.

“Ovarian cancer just doesn’t get enough attention. That’s why I walk with the Brigade,” Bristow said. “There are thousands of walkers and onlookers. They will see us and they will learn and maybe they will tell others.”

This is Bristow’s fourth year walking and has a fundraising goal of $5,000. She said that on the day of she takes the time to reflect on her friendship with Sayles and believes that many walkers are thinking of those they know battling cancer or the loved ones lost.

“It’s rewarding to know your part of the hope to finding a cure,” Bristow said. “It really is an exciting day, thousands of people fighting for the same goal to see a cure for cancer.”

Bristow will host a fundraiser tonight, Thursday, Sept. 3 at the Warwick Firefighter Home, 750 Warwick Ave. from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person and can be picked up at Headquarters at 111 Veterans Memorial Drive. There will be food, raffles, a silent auction and beer and wine.

If you are unable to attend but would like to donate to Bristow’s walk visit http://tinyurl.com/KarenJFwalk2015. To register for the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai on Sept. 27, to support a walker, or to volunteer, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call (866) 531-9255.

For those who cannot participate in the event but would like to donate and or fundraise they can do so as “virtual walkers” fundraising online. 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.