Walk of Champions Raises $84,000 in Support of Cancer Services
WARE — Sunday, May 4 marked the ninth annual Walk of Champions, held at the Quabbin Reservoir. This year’s event attracted more than 1,000 walkers and raised $84,000 in support of integrated cancer services at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital.
“Keeping cancer care local is critical for us, and our communities have confirmed that through their participation and generosity,” said Chuck Gijanto, president of Baystate Regional Markets, which includes Baystate Mary Lane Hospital. “We are honored by the many area businesses that sponsor our walk and the hundreds of walkers who participate in the Walk of Champions. We thank Country Bank as our presenting sponsor, as well as major sponsors Heath New England, Intercity Lines Inc.,and Pioneer Provisions, and we are grateful to all who contributed immeasurably to the success of the Walk of Champions.”
Since 2006, the Walk of Champions has raised more than $500,000. Funds are raised through the Baystate Health Foundation and have been used to help fund family support counseling, educational outreach, pastoral care, medications, state-of-the-art equipment, and the Healing Garden.
“On behalf of all that provide cancer care at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital, I say ‘thank you’ to the many teams, individual walkers, corporate and in-kind sponsors, the rangers at the Quabbin Reservoir Department of Conservation and Recreation, and volunteers who helped to make the ninth annual Walk of Champions a huge success,” said Lori Tuttle, program manager of the Baystate Regional Cancer Program Oncology Satellite at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital.
“The Walk of Champions, which is held annually on the first Sunday in May, has become a time for our community to join together in a moving tribute of those touched by cancer,” she added. “Because of this ongoing generosity and support, we are able to continue to offer care in a patient-centered environment, with the expertise of our medical staff from the Baystate Regional Cancer Program, right here in Ware.
In 2015, the Walk of Champions will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Sunday, May 3. For more information about the event or to find out how to become involved, contact Michelle Graci, manager of Fund Raising Events for the Baystate Health Foundation, at (413) 794-7654 or by e-mail at michellegraci@