Virtual Lahey Cancer Institute 5K Raises Over $200K

BURLINGTON, MA — Nearly 500 people raised over $200,000 to support the Lahey Cancer Institute through the virtual 5K Walk & Run in June, the institute said.

While in most years the institute hosts a live walk and run event, this year participants did their own 5Ks between June 12 and 27. Participants across over 50 teams ran, hiked, swam, paddle boarded, kayaked and wakeboarded, the institute said.

The 15-year-old event has raised $3.45 million for cancer care and patient support at the five Lahey Cancer Institute hospitals and outpatient treatment facilities: Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Lahey Medical Center in Peabody, Winchester Hospital, Beverly Hospital and Addison Gilbert Hospital.

"Funds from the event will support critical services including nurse navigators, genetic risk assessments, a cancer survivorship clinic and clinical research for people treated at the Lahey Cancer Institute," the intistitute said in a release.

“The COVID-19 pandemic certainly did not stop the amazing Lahey Cancer Institute 5K community that we’ve built together over the past 15 years,” said the institute's director Paul Hesketh in a statement. “We are incredibly grateful for every participant who took the time to support our cancer patients and the vital services and programs that truly make a difference in the lives of our patients.”

The top two teams were Jean's Angels, raising $15,785, and the Chemosabes, closely behind.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.