For Lynnfield Cancer Survivor, Employer Support Evident at Cancer WALK

Lynnfield resident Pam Feingold is passionate about the love she feels for her job. She works at Eastern Bank and feels very connected to the company. Feingold battled cancer and learned very quickly how sincerely her colleagues at Eastern Bank supported her journey.

As part of Eastern Bank’s community involvement, the bank has been involved in the North Shore Cancer WALK since its inception. The experience has been much more than just a corporate sponsorship – it is truly personal to each of the hundreds of Eastern Bank employees who participated over the years. This commitment to the community stems from the top down. Eastern Bank Chairman and CEO Rich Holbrook is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the North Shore Medical Center, and the bank has had employees involved over the years with everything from participating in the steering committee to manning water stations to coordinating the Eastern Bank WALK team to raising money and walking.

“I, myself, have been a patient at North Shore Cancer Center over the past six years,” Feingold says. “During my cancer battle, the support and affection I’ve received from everyone at Eastern Bank has been the silver lining in a somewhat dark cloud.”

Feingold knew she didn’t want to give up the job she loved while going through cancer treatments. Eastern made it easy for her to manage her job and treatments simultaneously. “At Eastern Bank, we really are like a family,” she says. “They have supported me every step of the way, not only by participating in the WALK, but also by well wishes from everyone at the bank - from my closest co-workers to acquaintances from other branches and departments. Eastern Bank has bent over backwards for me and everyone has been incredibly compassionate about my cancer journey.”

While Feingold normally feels a strong personal connection each year to the Cancer WALK, this year in particular will be particularly meaningful. Her oncologist, Dr. Karen Krag, is one of the co-chairs of this year’s North Shore Cancer WALK.

“Dr. Krag is my hero in every sense of the word,” says Feingold. “She has not only saved my life, but has also been committed to letting me live my life. Her influence on me has been not only medical, but also emotional and inspirational. I depend on her, I admire her and I really like her. I am so excited to honor her this year by walking.”

When asked why she keeps walking each year, Feingold is quick to answer. “On WALK day, I’ll be excited to see everyone from my Eastern Bank family, my Cancer Center family and my own family and friends,” she says. “To have everyone come together to support people battling cancer and to raise money for such an amazing place is incredible. I love seeing so many people in the community working together for the greater good, and I am very lucky to be a part of that community.”

The 24th Annual North Shore Cancer WALK will be held rain or shine on Sunday, June 22, 2014 at Salem Willows Park starting at 8:00 am. The WALK is a 6.2 mile route from Salem Willows Park to Salem State College. Entertainment, volunteers, and water stations are found throughout the WALK course, making it an entertaining and meaningful day. 

Money raised from the WALK will support the construction of the new inpatient oncology unit at North Shore Medical Center as well as wellness services and support programs at the Mass General / North Shore Cancer Center in Danvers.

More information can be found at www.northshorecancerwalk.org.