A Fairfield family is continuing to fill a promise they made to their son.

Charlie Capalbo died in April 2022 after a marathon battle with pediatric cancer. Since then, his family has taken on a marathon of their own every fall—the annual Jimmy Fund Boston Marathon Walk.

The 26.2-mile course is no easy feat.

“It’s long,” laughed his dad, Anthony Capalbo. “The people both on your team and the people you meet keep you going.”

“For Anthony and I and several of the older folks, we train all summer,” explained mom Jenny Capalbo.

This year’s event is Sunday, Oct. 5. It’ll be the fourth time the Capalbos will honor their son’s wishes by hitting the pavement in Boston.

“When Charlie was dying—and he knew that he was dying—he asked that we do whatever we could for the rest of our lives,” explained Jenny Capalbo. “He didn't necessarily want to be memorialized because he was so, so humble. But it was more about, ‘Raise funds for the future kids so they don’t have to go through what I went through.’”

Charlie died at the age of 23 during his fourth bout with leukemia and lymphoma. The former goalie inspired the hockey world and beyond with his spirit, grit and optimism.

“We try to keep his memory alive and try to raise funds because pediatric cancer is extremely underfunded, so the little bit we can do, if it helps a few kids live longer or live with less side effects, then we're doing our job and what Charlie wanted us to do,” Anthony Capalbo told News 12.

The Jimmy Fund Walk benefits the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, where Charlie Capalbo spent a lot of time during his fight. During those five years, the Capalbos were surrounded by an army of supporters who are still by their side. About 70 people will join Team Capalbo Strong in Boston next month while dozens more will walk in their own communities.

“Charlie was really special. He was not just strong but wise beyond his years. He knew what was important in life—mainly family, friends and community,” said Jenny Capalbo, getting emotional. “We look at all the people who show up to the walk and say, ‘This is exactly what he was about.’”

There is still time to join Team Capalbo Strong and walk in Boston or locally, and it can be any distance. Donations are accepted through Oct. 31.

To learn more, click here.