York Town News
York Hospital Breast Cancer Survivor Group to host 7th Annual Walk for Hope
By Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK BEACH - For the past six years, they have gathered together to show strength in numbers of survivors and to give hope to those who are in the midst of their own personal battles.They are the York Hospital Breast Cancer Survivor Group, and this August they will sponsor their Seventh Annual Walk for Hope to raise money for charitable organizations right here in Maine.
The event is coordinated and run by volunteers, with all the funds raised being donated to support breast cancer causes in the state.
Over $100,000 has been raised in the past six years, explained Susan Joy Sager, who organizes the walk with a team of fellow volunteers.
For those who have been involved in the planning process over the better part of the past decade, and for those who have gathered to take part in the walk itself, this is an event that is about much more than raising funds.
The walk has come to provide a time of sharing, of support, both for breast cancer survivors and for the loved ones of those who battled the disease.
In fact, just last year the Maine Cancer Foundation awarded the York Hospital Breast Cancer Survivor Group its Citizen Advocate Award for its ability to provide leadership and increase awareness of the importance of the issues surrounding breast cancer.
The foundation cited, among other merits, the group's ability to organize and implement its Walk of Hope on a volunteer basis and to deliver the funds raised to organizations that strive to make a difference.
This year's event will be held on Thursday, August 3, beginning with the opening ceremony at 5:45 p.m. at the York Beach Ball Field at Short Sands.
"All are invited to join the group at 6 p.m. for a two-mile stroll to Long Sands Beach or an optional five-mile loop," Sager said in providing the details of this year's walk.
Registration for the Walk of Hope will be held under the tent at the ball field, located near the York Beach Fire Department, beginning at 5 pm.
A $15 entry fee entitles participants to a T-shirt and to qualify for this year's array of special door prizes.
Special prizes will also be given to walkers with pledges of $250 or more.
As of last week, sponsors for the Seventh Annual Walk for Hope included Chiropractic Works, Starbucks of Kittery, Timeless Images and Memories, York Family Practice and The Financial Consultant, to name a few.
The closing ceremony, which will include the door prize drawings, will immediately follow the walk and is expected to begin at 7 p.m.
All the money raised will stay in Maine, and among the organizations to receive the funds is the Maine Breast Cancer Coalition, which provides such services as education, support and lobbying as well as funds to provide financial assistance for services and items related to breast cancer for women in need.
The Maine Cancer Foundation and York Hospital Wellness Center are also recipients for this year's walk.
The York Hospital Breast Cancer Survivor Group meets on the third Monday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Ellis Conference Room at York Hospital. The group welcomes new members, especially as statistics indicate those who attend survivor groups cope better, heal more quickly and have longer lives.
New members are invited to attend the meetings, regardless of whether they received their treatment at York Hospital, and friends are also welcome.
The meetings provide a time where members can share information, discuss ways to cope, explore complimentary therapies, hear guest speakers, provide and receive support, experience sisterhood, plan the Annual Walk for Hope and, according to the group's members, "Celebrate living."
Are you interested in helping the cause? Donations will be accepted at the walk and checks made payable to the York Hospital Breast Cancer Walk can be brought to the event or sent in advance to the York Hospital Breast Cancer Walk, P.O. Box 851, Ogunquit, ME 03907.
If you want to be a part of the event itself and set a fundraising goal, pledge sheets are currently available at various locations including York Hospital Oncology and the York Hospital Wellness Center.
