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NORTH ATTLEBORO - A local 6-year-old will be running the Boston Marathon this year - at least in spirit.

C.J. Buckley, whose positive attitude has helped him with the dual challenges of Down's syndrome and leukemia, is serving as the inspiration for his cousin Molly Buckley's run in the Boston Marathon. C.J. is the son of Sandra and Sean Buckley of North Attleboro.

"C.J. is very excited about cheering Molly on. He's always talking about his friend Molly," Sandra Buckley said.

C.J. and Molly, 27, who lives in Newton, are participating in the Dana Farber Medical Center's Patient Partner Program, which pairs runners with patients at the Jimmy Fund Clinic.

The runners raise money through the program and all proceeds go directly to fund the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. When C.J. was diagnosed with leukemia last spring, Molly decided to get involved by volunteering to help pass out snacks and drinks to runners.

"I was not a runner - I was a swimmer - but not a runner," she said. "I applied to be on the team and got accepted, and that's when it hit me: 'Oh wow! I really have to run this now.' "

Because of injuries during training, Molly said her main goal is to just finish the marathon - hopefully within the six hour cutoff time for receiving a completion medal.

Having C.J. as an inspiration has been helpful along the way.

"I know when I go out there for training and it hurts like heck, that there is a bigger reason for me to do this," Molly said. "I want to do something to help fight against cancer."

C.J. has served as an inspiration before for Molly, who is a special education teacher.

"I teach at a middle school and I work with children with disabilities," Molly said. "When C.J. was born, I was in college majoring in education. I graduated with a degree in elementary education and I realized that something was missing - it wasn't right for me. From playing with C.J. and becoming fascinated by Down's syndrome, I decided I really wanted to teach atypical students."

Sandra Buckley said her son, who is enrolled in an integrated kindergarten and loves movies, is doing well and is looking forward to cheering his cousin on.

"He's very sweet and very upbeat," she said. "He's doing well and we're going into our second year of chemo. He is a little cranky and tired for the days after chemo, but that's all part of the cycle."

The Buckleys aren't the only local family that is participating in the Patient Partner Program this year. Another Partner

Jake Maguire, 7, the son of Kim and Mark Maguire of North Attleboro, is serving as an inspiration for his father, who will also be running in the Boston Marathon this year. Maguire has acute lymphoblastic cancer.

Jake was a participant in the Patient Partner Program last year, when he was matched with John Connolly of Easton, a police officer in Dedham.

When Connolly said he wasn't planning to run the marathon this year, Mark Maguire decided to run on behalf of his son.

"It's something I always wanted to do," Mark Maguire said, adding: "It really keeps you going, knowing that Jake's still in treatment."

Maguire, who has run in the past but never a marathon, said his training has been going well despite a few injuries. He is hoping to finish the marathon in less than four hours.

AMY DeMELIA can be reached at 508-236-0334 or at ademelia@thesunchronicle.com.