Lexington Physician Walking for a Cause Close to Her Heart

• By Jeff Shmase, Contributed to Patch

LOWELL – A Lexington physician knows first-hand the impact a cancer diagnosis can have on those it affects – the patient, their family, friends, colleagues etc. When many of those people are gathered in the same place to support each other, the moment can be quite surreal.

Hematologist/oncologist Kim Brennan has seen that during the annual Lowell General Hospital’s TeamWalk for CancerCare, now in its 17th year. This year the event will be held at the Tsongas Center Sunday, May 22.

“In the past, I have been overwhelmed seeing all these people fighting cancer and supporting each other,” said Dr. Brennan, who is on staff at the hospital’s cancer center. “I was moved to tears. It was just an amazing sight.”

What’s also quite compelling is the advances being made in the fight against cancer, Dr. Brennan said.

“With the advent of new drugs people are living longer,” she said. “These drugs are directly targeting tumor cells, killing the tumor specifically. The goal in the future is for people to live a good quality of life with cancer.”

Funds from the walk go directly to the cancer center, providing such services as transportation, nutrition and medication, in addition to the treatment.

About 5,000 people participate in TeamWalk for CancerCare. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.teamwalk.org.