This weekend thousands of Fairfield County residents will do their part to fight cancer by joining Stamford Hospital's Hope in Motion fundraiser.
Last year the effort raised $1 million.
Hope in Motion’s Walk, Run & Ride is Sunday, June 3, National Cancer Survivor’s Day. Supporters looking for more information on the signature Walk, Run & Ride or hosting a grassroots event can contact Erin O’Toole at (203) 276-5920 oreotoole@stamhealth.org.
Pre-Registration for everyone will be on Saturday, June 2, from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. in , Stamford. Runners and riders are encouraged to pick up their bibs, timing chips and t-shirts during this time. Day of event registration will open at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 3.
More detail from organizers:
"For 20 years, Stamford Hospital’s Bennett Cancer Center has been providing patient-centered care to cancer patients and their families in lower Fairfield County. In two decades, the Center continues to offer its patients advanced treatment options and a high level of personal attention, all while continuing to expand the list of unique support programs and services. In order to propagate these services going forward, the Bennett Cancer Center has turned Hope in Motion into a year-round fundraising initiative.
Funds raised from Hope in Motion support a number of services at the Bennett Cancer Center, including the Exercise and Nutrition program; Integrative Medicine program, which features Reiki and massage and music therapy; Transitions: Choices in Recovery survivorship program; nurse navigators; genetic counseling; clinical trials; patient transportation program and others. In the past year alone, the Exercise and Nutrition program welcomed 23 new members, bringing the total to 324, and the transportation program provided 4,323 free rides. The Transitions: Choices in Recovery program enrolled 203 new patients, 1,135 Integrative Medicine sessions were provided and the Center’s three nurse navigators, who specialize in genitourinary, gastrointestinal and thoracic cancer, assisted a combined 365 patients.
The number of programs and services offered continues to grow every year, as does the number of patients who utilize them. Increasing the funds raised during the year-long initiative is vital to keeping these lines of support readily available.
“Expanding our fundraising efforts year over year allows the Center to continually improve existing programs while adding some new ones,” said Liz Manfredo, Director, Cancer Services, Bennett Cancer Center. “So many of our patients and their families benefit from our support services, which may not have available to them elsewhere. Our goal is to help everyone affected by a difficult cancer diagnosis healing mind, body and soul.”
The Hope in Motion platform encourages community members and Bennett Cancer Center supporters to plan and host their own fundraisers and events throughout the year. Funds raised are donated to the Center, which in turn fund the vital programs and services offered to patients and their families. Last year, stand-alone events included cocktail parties, golf outings, cooking classes and concerts.
In addition to one-time events, the Bennett Cancer Center hosts the annual Walk, Run & Ride, Hope in Motion’s signature event. In 2011, the Walk, Run & Ride met its $1 million fundraising goal for the first time in its history."
About Hope in Motion and the Walk, Run & Ride
Hope in Motion, a year-long fundraising initiative, and its signature event, the Walk, Run & Ride, benefit the Bennett Cancer Center, its patients and their families. The initiative and event are presented by the Stamford Hospital Foundation, the fundraising arm of Stamford Hospital. The event's founding and presenting sponsor is The Ashforth Company, a diversified commercial real estate firm in Stamford.
About Stamford Hospital
Stamford Hospital is a not-for-profit provider of comprehensive healthcare services in lower Fairfield County and the region. The mission of Stamford Hospital is to provide, together with its physicians, a broad range of high quality health and wellness services focused on the needs of our communities. Stamford Hospital is a member of the Planetree Alliance, a group of hospitals nationwide focused on patient-centered care. Stamford Hospital is affiliated with New York Presbyterian Health System and is a major teaching affiliate of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
