Rays of Hope offers info. session
SPRINGFIELD Anyone interested in forming a team to participate in Western Massachusetts' most successful fund raising walk-a-thon for breast cancer, Rays of Hope - A Walk Toward the Cure of Breast Cancer, is invited to attend a free "how-to" session on Sept. 13, at the D'Amour Center for Cancer Care on 3350 Main St., in Springfield.
The one-hour information session will be held at 5 p.m.
Refreshments will be served.
This year's walk-a-thon will step off on Oct. 30, from Temple Beth El in Springfield at 10:30 a.m.
Created in 1994 by Springfield native Lucy Giuggio, R.N., who is a breast cancer survivor, the Walk through Forest Park last year raised $655,000 to support breast health and research programs at Baystate Health System, as well as various community projects. The walk has raised over $4.1 million dollars in its 11 year history.
"Forming a team with family, friends and co-workers is a wonderful way to honor a survivor or the memory of a lost loved one. Teams are very important to the success of the walk and the special sessions on forming a team are designed to show people how easy and fun it is to be involved with the Rays of Hope," said Linda Fawcett, this year's Rays of Hope chairperson.
Teams must be comprised of at least 10 group members. There is no minimum to raise in pledges, but each group member should try to raise at least $100, Fawcett noted.
Teams who have potential members who cannot walk on the date scheduled, can still be a part of a team by participating in the Rays of Hope "10,000 Steps Toward a Cure," where an individual pledges to walk 10,000 steps in October. For more information, call 413-794-8001 or visit www.baystatehealth.com/raysofhope for the complete details.
Teams will receive free t-shirts with the name of their group imprinted on the shirts. The deadline for ordering the imprinted shirts is Sept. 21.
There will be an additional captain orientation session on Sept. 28 at 5:30 p.m., at the Comprehensive Breast Center, 3400 Main St., for those who were unable to attend the Sept. 13 event.
To register to attend the "how-to" team session, call 413-794-8001 or send an e-mail to raysofhope@bhs.org.
Last year more than 7,000 walkers, including over 260 teams, participated in the Rays of Hope - A Walk Toward the Cure of Breast Cancer.
Major sponsorship for this year's Rays of Hope walk is provided by Health New England, with additional sponsorship from Chicopee Savings Bank. Online sponsorship is provided by MassLive.
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