Local resident Joanie Johnson to participate in North Shore Cancer WALK

Joanie Johnson: North Shore Cancer WALK Volunteer

I’m from New York City but when I married Alden (Augie) we moved to his hometown of Marblehead. I worked as a buyer in Boston in order to help support us while he was at Harvard Business School. After Augie graduated, I stayed home to raise our family. I quickly became involved with North Shore Medical Center/Salem Hospital and have continued to volunteer in many capacities. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful facility so close to home. We have received all our medical care at NSMC, including the births of our two daughters.

When my husband was diagnosed with cancer we chose Mass General/North Shore Cancer Center for his treatment. I am eternally grateful to the doctors, nurses and staff for everything they did for us at that time. Augie passed away in 1987 and the very first North Shore Cancer WALK was a few years later in 1990. My daughters, a group of my friends and I formed a WALK team called Augie’s Army in memory of my husband. In recent years, I have been unable to walk in the event, but have continued to support it as I have done since the inception. So it is extra special this year to be celebrating not only 25 years of the North Shore Cancer WALK, but that I am a survivor of colon cancer, which was detected last year.

PHOTO:

Joanie pictured with her daughters and their families.