Griffin’s Friends to Hold Free Info Session, Marathon Challenge Kickoff

SPRINGFIELD — The public is invited to attend the 22nd annual Griffin’s Friends Marathon Challenge Kickoff informational session on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Baystate Health Conference and Education Center on 361 Whitney Ave. in Holyoke.

Griffin’s Friends, volunteers dedicated to providing support to children with cancer at Baystate Children’s Hospital, was founded in 1994. It is named for Griffin Kelleher, who passed away at 14 months old after a courageous battle with cancer.

Griffin’s Friends has established the Griffin’s Friends Children’s Cancer Fund at Baystate Health Foundation, which is funded by donations from fund-raising activities organized by Griffin’s Friends volunteers.

The free informational session is open to those interested in finding out more about the upcoming Griffin’s Friends Marathon Challenge fund-raiser on May 1, 2016. Information will be provided about the mission of Griffin’s Friends, training and marathon/half marathon preparation, fund-raising responsibility, and events of the season. The meeting is also a chance to meet other Griffin’s Friends runners. A light dinner buffet and refreshments will be served.

The mission of Griffin’s Friends — to bring moments of joy to courageous kids — is realized in various ways from sponsoring holiday parties, trips to stage performances, and in-hospital entertainment for children and their parents, as well as the purchase of arts and crafts supplies, toys, computers, and more to provide additional recreational activities for young cancer patients at Baystate Children’s Hospital.

For more information, call (413) 794-9745 or visit griffinsfriends.com. For more information on Baystate Health Foundation, visit baystatehealth.org/bhf.