Peabody's Tom Gould Recognized by Mass. General Cancer Center

Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center in Boston announced Thursday that Peabody’s Tom Gould, owner of local iconic ice cream shop , is among those on its annual the one hundred list honoring outstanding contributions in the fight against cancer. 

Academy Award-winner Matt Damon will join co-chairs Jonathan and Patti Kraft, Stephen and Laura Lang and United States Senator John Kerry and Teresa Heinz at the celebration in June.

 Each year since 2008, one hundred individuals, groups and organizations from all walks of life have been selected by the Boston-based Cancer Center for many reasons. Nominations were made through the one hundred Web site and a record number were submitted for this year’s list.

Gould has been recognized for his commitment to bringing happiness and levity to patients at the Mass General/North Shore Cancer Center - in the form of ice cream. Once a month, to the delight of patients and staff, Tom Gould visits the center bearing treats from his renowned shop in nearby Peabody, Treadwell’s Ice Cream. He is also after in January.

In 1999, after two decades as a manager at GE Aviation in Lynn, Tom retired and bought Treadwell’s, a beloved ice cream destination for North Shore residents since 1946. His monthly visits to the Cancer Center are gifts of companionship as well as ice cream, says nurse manager Rosemary Henchey, RN. “Tom brings cheer to the patients, and when they complete treatment, some keep visiting him in his store.”

Rose Watson, a patient services coordinator, adds, “Everyone gets to enjoy a hot fudge or strawberry sundae thanks to Tom’s generosity. He makes everyone smile. Some patients book their appointments when he is coming in so they don’t miss him. On top of that, Tom is one of the nicest guys ever. All the patients and staff love him.”

To learn more about this story and 99 others, please visit: http://www.theonehundred.org/honorees/view/

 In addition to the committee, many well-known people occupy this year’s list including singer David Archuleta of American Idol fame, makeup artist to the stars Tim Quinn and WCVB-TV anchor Heather Unruh.  Also among the one hundred are everyday heroes; the doctors, nurses, researchers and other caregivers who are being recognized for ground-breaking research and stellar patient care, and those outside of the medical community who make a difference in their own way.  They might climb mountains for donations; personally deliver ice cream to the Center every month, or they could be a young girl whose family continue to make and sell bracelets as she did to raise money and awareness – each honoring the spirit of the one hundred - that everyone can make a difference in the battle against all forms of cancer.

The one hundred is also a key fundraiser for the Mass General  Cancer Center, with a gala reception honoring recipients being held at the Westin Boston Waterfront on Wednesday, June 1, 2011. For tickets and more information, please visit: www.theonehundred.org or call Raquel Morales at 617-724-2818.

 The full list of the 2011 the one hundred recipients can be found at: www.theonehundred.org or by following us on Facebook or Twitter @theonehundred.

Submitted by Colin Mahoney, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston.