Walk for Hope to support cancer care services close to home
DOVER-FOXCROFT — On Saturday, Sept. 21 Northern Light Mayo Hospital will welcome cancer survivors, patients and families, and community supporters to the hospital for the Walk for Hope, a new fundraising event to benefit cancer care services in Piscataquis County.
The walk will support Northern Light Cancer Care services provided at the Tracy Hibbard Kasprzak Cancer Treatment Center, the only cancer treatment center in the region. The center is named in memory of a beloved daughter, sister, wife, grandmother, and nurse whose 15-year battle with cancer inspired patients, survivors, caregivers, and the community. The Center was dedicated in September of 2017.
Tracy’s parents Jane Hibbard-Merrill and Charles A. Merrill are the walk’s founding sponsors. Their sponsorship continues a legacy of giving that has strengthened local cancer care services over the years.
The non-competitive Walk for Hope will include a 5K walk around Dover-Foxcroft followed by food, music, activities for kids and families, and an opportunity to honor cancer survivors and remember those who have been lost to cancer. The event is open to everyone who has been affected by cancer — families, friends, medical professionals, and patients, regardless of where they were treated.
Proceeds from the event will fund patient-focused enhancements at the Cancer Treatment Center and help patients directly through Mayo Hospital’s Patient Assistance Fund. The Center contains comfortable, private treatment spaces, a transfusion area, telemedicine capability, and private consultation rooms. Practitioners from Northern Light Cancer Care see patients locally so fewer patients must travel for care.
“Cancer is the leading cause of death in Piscataquis County, and the cancer death rate in the region greatly exceeds the state and national averages. That’s why the walk is so important — it will help keep care close to home so patients can focus on healing,” says Marie Vienneau, president, Mayo Hospital.
Walk for Hope participants can start teams with families, friends, and co-workers, register individually, or participate virtually. Walkers who meet fundraising milestones will earn custom Walk for Hope Sea Bag totes and wristlets. Tribute signs to honor or remember family and friends affected by cancer as well as caregivers will be placed along the route.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk starts at 9 a.m. To register for the event or purchase a tribute sign, please visit northernlighthealth.org/WalkForHope.