The Newton-Wellesley Hospital Charitable Foundation will hold its second annual HopeWalks event on Sunday, September 25, 2011. HopeWalks is a 3.5 mile neighborhood walk to benefit the Integrative Support Services offered at the Vernon Cancer Center. These life-enhancing services for cancer patients optimize healing and comfort throughout treatment. Newton-Wellesley Hospital wants to make these services available to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. Last year’s inaugural event drew over 1,400 participants and 108 teams and raised more than $280,000.

“We look forward to once again bringing the community together to benefit the Vernon Cancer Center,” said Joan Archer, Vice President, Development. “The proceeds from HopeWalks will ensure the continued availability of a wide variety of support services, which directly help cancer patients during their treatment and recovery.”

The HopeWalks route will begin and end at the hospital, and all ages are welcome. Check-in is at 9:00am, with the walk beginning at 10:00am, rain or shine. Susan Wornick, of WCVB TV 5, will be the Honorary Master of Ceremonies. Walkers will enjoy a hospitality tent and BBQ lunch. The online registration fee is $25 per walker. For those who register by paper or on the day of the event, the registration fee is $35. Children 10 and under are free. For more information and to register online today, please visit www.nwh.org/hopewalks.

Since HopeWalks is a fundraiser, it is recommended that walkers raise a minimum of $100 to support the Vernon Cancer Center. Walkers who raise $500+ are considered “Super” walkers, and those who raise $1,000+ are considered “Power” walkers. All registered walkers are eligible to receive a HopeWalks t-shirt, and walkers who raise $100+ are eligible to receive other incentives, depending on the amount they raise. Prizes will be given to participants and teams who raise the most money.

HopeWalks Corporate Sponsors to date include Whole Foods, Roche Bros., Rockland Trust, The Village Bank, J.C. Cannistraro, VPNE Parking Solutions, Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation, First Commons Bank, Taurus Investments, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Charles River Realty Investors/National Development, Citizens Bank, Hanover Insurance, Hint Water, Honda Village, The Kraematon Group, The Norfolk & Dedham Group, Pirate Brands, Stone Institute, WUNR/1600 AM, Wellesley Bank, and Dedham Savings. Corporate sponsorships are still available. For more information, please contact hopewalks@partners.org.

About the Vernon Cancer Center/Integrative Support Services

The Vernon Cancer Center’s Integrative Support Services include:

  • A patient navigator who provides support from the point of diagnosis through the entire continuum of care;
  • Genetic testing and comprehensive risk assessment to identify family history of cancer;
  • Access to a wide variety of clinical trials including research conducted in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Partners Cancer Care;
  • Nutritional support to help patients get adequate nutrition and meet dietary needs;
  • Psychological and social services to help patients and their families deal with the emotional impact of the initial diagnosis and treatment;
  • Therapeutic services such as massage, Reiki, yoga, and other relaxation methods;
  • Pain management services tailored to deal with each patient’s unique diagnosis

 

The Joan and James Vernon Cancer Center at Newton-Wellesley Hospital offers patients an entire realm of cancer care, expert and innovative services and advanced treatment options. Our mission is to deliver comprehensive, compassionate care while providing a sense of hope and comfort to patients and their families. Our team provides personalized care in a private and comfortable setting for cancers such as breast, prostate, lung, colorectal and gynecological malignancies. In addition, benign and malignant blood disorders such as anemia, coagulation disorders, lymphoma, myeloma and leukemia are also treated.

Specialists at the Center work in collaboration with the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Radiation Oncology, New England Hematology and Oncology Associates (NEHOA) and numerous departments at the Hospital to provide for the specific needs of individual patients.