Matt and Amanda Dobbins know first hand how fortunate they are to have the resources of Mass General Hospital readily available.

The family had just moved to South Hamilton when their young son, Charles, became seriously ill with a rare blood disorder. It was a frightening time, but everything turned out fine. After being treated at Mass General he is now a healthy bundle of energy who recently celebrated his third birthday.

Matt Dobbins decided he wanted to give back to the Mass General Hospital Pediatric Oncology and Hematology unit. He'll do so by running the 113th Boston Marathon this Monday as a member of the MGH team, raising money to help find a cure for children like his son.

"I never ran a marathon before — never ran more than seven miles before I started training for this," said Dobbins, who will be joined by his brother, Ryan for the Marathon run. "I'm up to 20 miles now, (having just done that) with the Mass General team (recently). There are over 100 people running to raise money for this great cause.

"I tried to sign up last year while Charles was still getting treatment there, but the list was already filled. It's a very popular cause, so I put my name in early this time. I want to do my part to give back to them for all they did for us."

Dobbins grew up in Wakefield, but lived in California for 10 years before returning to the North Shore. The family had just settled in when Charles got sick.

I later learned most of the specialists for this type of treatment are in Boston and Texas," said Dobbins.

The diagnosis of ITP

Matt and Amanda noticed a lot of bruising on their young son's body. Charles was only 18 months old when they began to worry that something serious could be wrong, so they took him to their pediatrician in Beverly.

The frightened parents received a disturbing diagnosis.

"When his doctor took blood tests, he was pretty grim about the results. That's when we took him to Boston to Mass General Pediatric Oncology and Hematology," said Dobbins.

"Our pediatrician thought he might have immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) — which creates antibodies that wipes out the platelets faster than they can be replaced. Doctors at Mass General confirmed the diagnosis."

Blood tests showed Charles had a platelet count of zero, and doctors at MGH immediately began treatment. It worked extremely well; his last visit to the hospital was in March 2008, and he is now a completely healthy and active little boy.

"Someone, somewhere, at some time gave money for research to find a cure for my son," said Dobbins. "Without that donation, we might not have had this outcome; that's why I want to do what I can to give back.

"I am not a hospital person and try to avoid going to see the doctor, but my family found Mass General Pediatric to be a very warm place. They treat those kids so nicely that it has a calming affect on the whole family."

Aiming to reach his goal

Dobbins has done most of his training runs alone except for when he'd get together with the MGH team. He's run four to five times a week in preparation for Monday's race, and he'll have his wife and son there to cheer him on at Mile 20, right before the grueling trip up Heartbreak Hill.

Dobbins, who is listed as one of the top fundraisers on the MGH first giving page — his goal to raise $10,000 seems very attainable —has been dealing with some injuries of his own and is having physical therapy, but is determined nothing will keep him from running.

"I have a few problems, but they're minor. There is a tendon that goes from the outside part of your hip to your knee, and I strained both of mine," said Dobbins. "It's a little something I will deal with, but nothing like what these kids face every day. They are climbing a mountain and need all the help they can get.

"Any donation is welcome, not matter how small," he added. "Every dollar raised goes directly for research.

Meet Matt Dobbins

Running: The 113th Boston Marathon on Monday

Why: To raise money for Mass General Hospital Pediatric Oncology/Hematology

His goal: Raise $10,000 for research

To find out more: Go to his website: http://www.firstgiving.com/mattdobbins