For the first time in two years, the Rays of Hope Walk & Run Toward the Cure of Breast Cancer welcomed participants back in person to hit the pavement through Forest Park in Springfield.
This year’s event had 10,000 participants in attendance and raised over $400,000 and counting, exceeding totals for the 2021 event.
“This year’s Rays of Hope was a reminder of what makes this event so special – people coming together for the signature big pink hug that is wrapped around our survivors and participants,” shared Kathy Tobin, Director of Annual Giving & Events, Baystate Health Foundation. “We are grateful for all those who walked, volunteered, and donated. Your support is felt by those in our own backyard, as all proceeds of this event remain local to help your loved ones, neighbors, friends, or even yourself.”
Tobin also announced the creation of the Rays of Hope endowment, which will help provide sustainable support for the future of breast cancer care, research, and education at Baystate Health.
“In honor of our 30th anniversary next year, we want to do something that we know will benefit generations to come,” shared Tobin. “Our generous community advisory board has pledged to help us get started, and the money from that will spin off and provide us with some income each year. So, in the case that we couldn’t walk or run, there will always be support from Rays of Hope in western Massachusetts.”
Donations to the endowment will help continue to infuse funding into finding the cure for breast cancer and supporting those survivors along the way.
Donations for the 2022 Rays of Hope will be accepted until the end of the year. To donate, visit BaystateHealth.org/RaysofHope. For those interested to learn how they may contribute to the Rays of Hope endowment, call Baystate Health Foundation at 413-794-5444.