The 24th Annual North Shore Cancer WALK will be taking place this weekend at Salem Willows Park. We interviewed some of the WALK participants to learn more about what motivates them to raise money for such a great cause.
Below is an interview with members of Team HIM Hotties, Susan Raviv and Gina Mannion. They work in the Health Information Management group at North Shore Medical Center Salem Hospital.
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Tell me about why you WALK.
Susan: This will be the 6th year for Team HIM Hotties to participate in the North Shore Cancer WALK. Our fundraising and awareness efforts span the entire year, though, as we are always trying to think of new ways to engage our NSMC department, the Health Information Management Group.
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One of the most successful things we’ve done to raise funds for our team is to produce a cookbook the last couple of years. The first time around, it was definitely a learning process, as there was a lot of legwork to assemble the book. Last year, we were able to get our forms vendor, Standard Register, to donate their services to help us with the production of 800 cookbooks! We got a lot of great feedback on them and were so happy to sell so many to help raise money.
Every year, we try to up the ante in terms of how to get creative to raise the most money. I’ve had a table at the cafeteria before where I sell raffle tickets to win things that I’ve crocheted, as well as gift baskets we’ve assembled through donated goods. We’ve also had yard sales where we donate the proceeds to our WALK team.
What are some of the other unique things you do to raise money?
Gina: We’ve also held a Spinathon at Inner Cycle in Beverly in the past, where we’ve had a special ride where people could donate money to our team. We always try to keep it interesting, to engage people who may not be able to do the WALK but still want to participate and donate.
We hear all the time from people on staff that they’re so happy to know the money raised from the WALK goes right back to the facilities and programs here. In our department, we don’t necessarily have a lot of direct contact with patients, but we’re still an important piece of the puzzle, as we oversee all the medical records of those people treated here. We all really enjoy what we do, and like so many, are affected by cancer in one way or another. Seeing the funds from the WALK go right back to the oncology department and the Cancer Center is a really good incentive for people to participate and contribute each year.
What are you looking forward to most on WALK day?
Susan: We’re looking forward to another great day at Salem Willows. During the WALK, you can feel the passion and positivity of everyone there. Cancer touches so many people, so to see everyone joining together is really an amazing experience.
Gina: On WALK day, we’re looking forward to the sea of team T-shirts that are so prevalent. One year, we even made a banner from old team T-shirts, and it was really moving to carry it on the WALK course. It really drives home the point of why we’re all there when you see those names and faces on the shirts of people being honored for their fight against cancer. It’s always a memorable day.
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.
