Teams sought for Rays of Hope walk
SPRINGFIELD With just about three months until the Rays of Hope Walk, it's not too early to get started on organizing a team or to gather pledges as an individual walker in this year's 13th Annual Rays of Hope A Walk Toward the Cure of Breast Cancer, which will step off Sunday, October 29.
"Although three months may seem far off from now, it's important that captains and walkers leave themselves enough time to gather their friends and family to form a team, and to begin raising funds for the Walk," said Susan Murray, general manager, WMAS Radio, who is serving as co-chair of this year's Rays of Hope.
"With summer about half over, now is the perfect time to register and begin planning for the Walk," she added.
Once again, the fresh fall air and beautiful hues of autumn found in Springfield's Forest Park will serve as the backdrop on Oct. 29 to this year's Walk which begins at Temple Beth El in Springfield at 10:30 a.m.
"Funds raised for the Walk stay right here in our communities and make an impact on our own friends and neighbors," said Linda Fawcett of Carlson GMAC Real Estate in Wilbraham, co-chair of this year's Rays of Hope.
The Walk through Forest Park last year raised $620,000 to fund breast cancer research, programs and services for breast cancer patients and survivors, and state-of-the art equipment at Baystate Medical Center's Comprehensive Breast Center, part of the Baystate Regional Cancer Program, as well as breast cancer care at Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware, and various community projects and organizations such as the Cancer Connection and Cancer House of Hope. Last year more than 7,000 walkers, including over 250 teams participated in the Rays of Hope Walk.
Teams must be comprised of at least 10 team members. There is a suggested minimum of $100 for each walker to raise. Teams with potential members who cannot be at the Walk on Oct. 29 are encouraged to participate on the team as a Rays of Hope "Local Stepper," a virtual walk program, where they will receive a pedometer to keep track of their steps during the month of October. Virtual walkers raise donations just like other participants in the Walk and achieve their five miles over time as part of their daily routine. For the complete details, call 413-794-8001 or visit www.baystatehealth.com/raysofhope.
Teams and individual walkers can also create their own webpage to start collecting donations, or download a walk paper/pledge form by visiting the Rays of Hope web site at www.baystatehealth.com/raysofhope.
Rays of Hope, the most successful fund raising Walk in Western Massachusetts for breast cancer, was founded in 1994 by Springfield native Lucy Giuggio. Through the efforts of a dedicated group of breast cancer survivors, friends, families and other community volunteers, Rays of Hope has become a huge success, raising over $4.1 million in 12 years.
Baystate Medical Center's Comprehensive Breast Center, part of the Baystate Regional Cancer Program, is a unique interdisciplinary program incorporating Baystate Medical Center staff physicians and community physicians. Under the medical direction of Dr. Grace Makari-Judson, the program offers routine mammography services, as well as diagnostic mammography and core biopsy, diagnostic evaluations, multidisciplinary consultation, high risk screening, education and outreach services, and support services. The Center also supports community education and treatment programs at Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield and Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware.
Individual walker registration will begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, October 29, outside Temple Beth El, and the Walk will be held rain or shine.
For more information about this year's Rays of Hope Walk, call 413-794-8001 or visit www.baystatehealth.com/raysofhope.
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