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Health & Fitness

First-Time Hope in Motion Team Captain Honors Cancer Patient by Starting Team Be There For Belle

For 19 years, Stamford Hospital’s Bennett Cancer Center has hosted an annual event in downtown Stamford to benefit the Center, its patients and their families. What began as just The Walk has flourished into the widely-know Walk, Run & Ride, and attracts approximately 4,500 people from all over lower Fairfield County. Every year, organizers welcome more and more individuals who fundraise and/or participate in one or more of the events, many of which are registered as part of a larger team. Over 200 teams typically register for the Walk, Run & Ride. This year, hundreds of individuals make up the 108 teams currently registered, with more coming on board every day. Teams are formed by a number of different entities, including Stamford Hospital departments, private physician practices, churches, schools, corporations, event sponsors and cancer patients and survivors. Many of the teams fundraise year round using a number of creative tactics such as social media outreach, bake sales, happy hour events and sports tournaments. Teams account for approximately half of the total funds raised. “Regardless of who starts a team and why, each one brings a high level of momentum and excitement for the Walk, Run & Ride, and all the grassroots fundraising events going on throughout the year,” said Kari Pollak, Stamford Hospital Foundation’s Manager of Special Events. “Over 20 teams have been with us since the first Walk event, and come back every year dedicated to raising awareness for the cause.” Jay Keeshan is a long-time event participant but a first-time team captain this year. He is leading team Be There For Belle in honor of his sister-in-law, Belle Coughlin, who has been battling breast cancer for over a decade. Motivated by Coughlin’s determination and positive spirit, Keeshan felt that creating a team rallying around her would stir up extra interest and help build the critical mass needed for fundraising. “Beating cancer is about numbers so we need more people to participate in the event,” said Keeshan. “Building a team creates an event within the event, and an additional reason to participate. It will bring a lot of people together who may not have seen each other for years, and hopefully it will keep bringing them back in the future.” Team Be There For Belle has recruited 13 of its desired 40 team members. Currently ranked the fifth highest team fundraiser to date, they have raised $5,995 of their $10,000 goal. Team members regularly reach out to family, friends and even strangers via social media and word of mouth to recruit additional members. They are inviting others to join them at the event, hoping that donations will follow. The team also plans to hold a fundraising event at Brennan’s Restaurant in Stamford in early May. Anyone can create a team by registering on the Hope in Motion website. Individuals can also join an existing team, and those accepting new members are listed on the website. For more information about creating or joining a Walk, Run & Ride team or to make a donation, please visit www.hope-in-motion.org. Stamford Hospital’s Bennett Cancer Center’s 19th annual Hope in Motion, Walk, Run & Ride will take place on Sunday, June 2, in downtown Stamford’s Columbus Park.

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