Community Raises $56,000 for South Nassau at Walk

South Nassau Communities Hospital supporters who participated in the hospital’s 5K last month donated more than $56,000 to the Gertrude & Louis Feil Cancer Center in Valley Stream to help patients undergoing cancer treatments and to expand cancer education efforts.

More than 250 residents completed a 3.1-mile walk through Baldwin and Oceanside and used Internet-based Crowdrise to raise the funds, which along with event sponsorships, grossed more than $76,000.

The staff of the Gertrude & Louis Feil Cancer Center team lead the way, raising more than $6,356.00 on Crowdrise under their #TheyCallUsAngels banner. Rajiv Datta, MD, chairman of the Department of Surgery at South Nassau and medical director of the Cancer Center; Joe Calderone, senior vice president of corporate communications and development; and Geri Barish, president of 1 in 9: The Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition, congratulated the staff in a check presentation at the Feil Center.

More than 120 fundraising teams were formed on Crowdrise and South Nassau’s 5K Walk produced a four-fold increase in contributions over last year’s event.

“On behalf of our present and future patients as well as our team of physicians and patient care staff, I thank each walker for their generous support,” said Dr. Rajiv Datta, chairman of South Nassau’s Department of Surgery. “The money raised by the event will make a difference in helping our patients’ fight against cancer.”

The funds will help cancer patients who are battling the disease and who often face financial issues, including with transportation expenses, house cleaning, child care, elder care, support for medication, therapy and if they need wigs/bras. The funds also will be used for cancer awareness, screenings and education.

Photo: South Nassau Communities Hospital