LOWELL — For the first time in 21 years, thousands of community members will not parade the streets of downtown Lowell in support of TeamWalk for CancerCare.
Instead, participants will tune in from separate, socially distant walks through the end of August.
“The need has not gone away. COVID-19 hasn’t stopped people from getting cancer and fighting the disease,” Lowell General Hospital Board of Directors Chair of Philanthropy Bruce Robinson said.
The annual fundraising walk was scheduled to kick off from LeLacheur Park on May 31. Participants typically embark on a three or six-mile walk, followed by a celebration. But amid the pandemic, teams are encouraged to walk on their own.
“They can do it on their own time, their own turf, their own terms,” TeamWalk Manager Andrea Jackson said. “It won’t be the same, but we’re hoping to keep the TeamWalk thought out there and we’ll be back next year.”
In the last 21 years, TeamWalk has raised about $13 million for Lowell General Hospital cancer patients. Last year, the event brought in $823,000. This year’s fundraising deadline has been extended to Sept. 1.
Donations help fund transportation to and from chemotherapy appointments, medications, nutritional supplements, wigs, support groups and more for cancer patients.
“It doesn’t go to research, it goes to help the here and now of their (patients’) cancer treatment,” Jackson said.
While undergoing chemotherapy for Stage 1 breast cancer two years ago, Chelmsford resident Carrie Meikle received a wig donated by TeamWalk. She also benefited from massage therapy, funded in part by TeamWalk.
“During chemo, obviously you just feel awful, and you have body aches and pains…” Meikle said. “TeamWalk really takes care of sort of the non-medical part of your cancer treatment,” she added later.
Last May, Meikle completed her last cancer treatment. The survivor is this year’s honorary TeamWalk chair.
“It (TeamWalk) raises a lot of money that goes to support the cancer center and the treatment and sort of the whole life experience of the cancer patients, but it also lets people know you’re not alone,” Meikle said.
To remind participants they are not alone, Jackson is organizing to-go boxes for dispersal to team captains. The care packages will include hand wipes, sidewalk chalk, noise makers, a Dunkin’ gift card and a bell for survivors to ring when they finish. Instead of signing the Wall of Hope, Jackson urges participants to spread messages of support on streets and sidewalks using the chalk.
“We can’t be there for them that day, but we want to keep a lot of the spirit there,” Jackson said. She hopes the boxes will “make that day a little more special.”
After 21 years, “we still get a great response…” Jackson said of the event. “It helps people. And these are people that are in our community that we know. These are our friends and neighbors,” she said.
Groups are encouraged to share photos of their walks on social media. Jackson reminds walkers to be safe, wear masks and have fun. Team captains should contact Jackson to let her know when they plan on walking.
“Everyone seems to know someone who has cancer, or is going through treatment, or you know, has some sort of history with cancer. And so (the walk) is one way for people to really pull together and support one another, and to really feel like they’re able to do something,” Meikle said.
To register or donate, visit teamwalk.org.
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Keeping the spirit: TeamWalk to occur from a distance - Lowell Sun
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