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Running for Life

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently honored several volunteers at its annual Relay for Life Summit. From left, volunteers Nancy Piela of Springfield, Lisa Carabine of Springfield, Melanie Maserati of East Longmeadow, and Mary Howell of Belchertown, ACS community executive for income development, accepted the award for Top 25 Fundraising Event. In 2006, more than 885 people, including 229 local survivors, participated in the Relay for Life of Greater Springfield. The event raised more than $249,000 to benefit the society’s programs for cancer research, education, advocacy, and service, a total that ranked 18th among the 181 such events held throughout New England last year.

Topping Off

Mercy Medical Center hosted a “topping off” ceremony on Jan. 23 for its new Intensive Care and Ambulatory Services units. Such a ceremony is traditionally held to mark the placement of the highest structural point of a new building. A small evergreen tree and the American flag were secured to the girder, with the tree symbolizing the strength of the new building and the desire for the construction project to remain injury-free. In the top photo, Vincent McCorkle, president and CEO of the Sisters of Providence Health System, talks about the $16 million project, which is designed to improve patient care and operational efficiency in the two units. The new, 30,000-square-foot building is set to open in late 2008.