MMH cancer walk planned for Aug. 27
Purpose of the annual Melissa Memorial Hospital cancer walk is threefold.
It provides a community gathering for fun and games, it offers the chance to memorialize and celebrate those who have battled cancer, and this year it serves as a fundraiser for the MMH Pink Out program.
The cancer walk set for Friday, Aug. 27, is being spearheaded by spirit committee members Diana Baeza, Sarah Bornhoft, Nancy Colglazier, Tabitha Simeus and Cindy Lock.
The fun will begin at 5 p.m. with music, games (including a dunk tank) and face painting for the family on the hospital campus at 1001 E. Johnson St.
From 5-6:30 p.m., Taqueria El Dragon will be serving dinner, and the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Lickety Split truck will serve dessert.
Community members are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the fun provided at no cost.
Walk begins at 7 p.m.
For those who sign up for the walk itself, the action is scheduled from 7-9 p.m. It will start with speeches by community members who have a close tie with this mission.
The first lap of the walk will be designated as a survivor lap for those who have battled cancer and won.
The designated walk area this year will circle the hospital parking lot, move briefly on to East Johnson Street to turn in to the emergency services parking lot and then backtrack to return to the original parking lot. It will all be handled on the south side of the hospital.
For those participating in the walk, there is a suggested donation to go toward the fundraiser.
Corporate sponsors have been offered tables to promote themselves in the community gathering, along with wristbands for five walkers and five luminaria in honor of or memory of cancer victims.
Anyone can purchase luminaria. More information on these purchases may be obtained by calling 970-854-2241. For Baeza, use extension 2001, Bornhoft 2008 or Colglazier 2048.
The committee has targeted an Aug. 26 deadline for luminaria purchases.
This year, Bornhoft noted that they will be using lit-up balloons with the name of the honored person. In the past, they have used paper bags with tealight candles for the luminaria.
Various colored wristbands will be available for sale with each color representing the fight for a specific kind of cancer.
Additionally, Pink Out program T-shirts are available for sale before and during the Aug. 27 event. Contact Megan Garrett at megan.garrett@bannerhealth.com for T-shirt information.
The Pink Out program helps those in need receive low-cost or free annual screening mammograms. Those who wish to apply for this program can contact Cherene Nester at 970-854-2241, ext. 2024.