On Sunday, June 24, the 28th annual North Shore Cancer WALK was held at Salem Willows Park. Thousands of walkers came out on a beautiful summer day for this annual celebration of life, hope and courage in honor of all those who have been touched by this disease.
Thank you to the WALK co-chairs Ann Hargraves and Barry Jones for sharing their stories with the WALK community and for their dedication to North Shore Medical Center and the Mass General/North Shore Cancer Center.
While we are still tallying the fundraising numbers and collecting donations, we would like to thank everyone in the community who raised funds or donated to the WALK this year. The WALK has raised more than $22.5 million since its inception. The 2018 WALK funds will be used for a new surgical robot that will bring advanced technology for prostate cancer surgery at North Shore Medical Center.
Up to $1 million in funds raised for the robot will be matched by a private donor, doubling the benefit of contributions to North Shore patients and their families. Funds will also support oncology services at North Shore Medical Center and the Mass General/North Shore Cancer Center, such as clinical trials and wellness care.
North Shore Medical Center and the Mass General/North Shore Cancer Center are so appreciative of the support from all our sponsors for this year’s event. Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Eastern Bank, as well as our other sponsors: Acura of Peabody; Beverly Athletic Club; Beverly Bank; Blink Fitness; Blueberry Hill Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center; Boston North Cancer Association; Bouchard and Sons Inc.; Commonwealth Radiology Associates; Delulis Brothers Construction; Designer Bath and Salem Plumbing Supply; Electric Insurance Company; First Ipswich Bank; Flowers by Darlene/North Shore Fruit Basket; General Electric; Marblehead Bank; North Shore 104.9; North Shore Bank; People’s United Bank; QuadGraphics; Sagan Realtors; Salem Five Charitable Foundation; Serafini, Darling and Correnti LLP; Shetland Properties; Thermal Circuits; Title Boxing Club; Weiss Commercial Property Services; Wholes Food Market Swampscott; and Zampell Refractories Inc.
We would like to extend a sincere thank you to the city of Salem fire, parks, parking and police departments and the hundreds of volunteers who assisted with the coordination and entertainment of the day. Additionally, we are very grateful to Sue Tabb of Magic 106.7 FM radio for serving as emcee to kick off our WALK program. A big thank you, also, to the students from Bishop Fenwick’s cheerleading squad for performing at the WALK and to our WALK Grand Marshal’s, Masspay’s Fed Up with Cancer team.
For more than two decades, the North Shore Cancer WALK has brought together a community committed to raising money for those battling cancer and to honor those who have lost their lives to cancer. We are grateful to the thousands of participants and supporters who come out for this event. The many stories of courage and resolve are truly an inspiration. It reminds us as to why the WALK is so important to so many people on the North Shore.
David J. Roberts, MD
President, North Shore Medical Center