Kate Weir from Rays of Hope joined hosts Chris Maza and Tyler Garnet to talk about the organization’s work on the Oct. 10 episode of “So That Reminds Me.”
Reminder Publishing photo by Lauren LeBel
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but the Rays of Hope Foundation works year-round to promote breast education, provide resources for patients and support survivors.
On the most recent episode of “So That Reminds Me,” Rays of Hope Event Coordinator Kate Weir joined hosts Chris Maza and Tyler Garnet to talk about the organization’s work and its upcoming walk and run towards the cure of breast cancer.
This year’s walk — the 32nd annual — will take place on Sunday, Oct. 19.
“It started in 1994 with Lucy Giuggio-Carvalho,” said Weir. She explained that Giuggio-Carvalho was diagnosed with breast cancer at a very young age, while working as a nurse at Baystate Health.
“Throughout all of her treatment, she really wanted to provide a community for other breast cancer survivors and more resources so that people felt that community around them as they were going through that treatment,” as she didn’t feel that when she was actively going through treatment, Weir shared of Giuggio-Carvalho.
The annual walk is hosted at the Temple Beth El with its walking roots going through Forest Park in Springfield.
The first year garnered about 500 people, most of Giuggio-Carvalho’s family and friends. Now, Weir said the walk has grown to see anywhere from 15,000 to 20,000 people annually.
“There’s a wonderful community that supports us,” Weir said. “We have survivors coming back year after year that really look forward to celebrating another year with us.”
Since 1994, the walk has raised just over $17.7 million.
“All of that stays right here in Western Mass.,” Weir said. “Nothing leaves our community.”
This funding is used for research grants at the Rays of Hope Center for Breast Cancer Research, which is in partnership with the Pioneer Valley Life Science Institute.
“At that institute, we do research for all different types of breast cancer to really learn what is breast cancer and how can we help treat it?” Weir said.
Because there are various types of cancer within the breast and every case is different, Weir said the scientists working there are trying to “hone in” on personal experiences and treatment plans.
On the clinical side, Weir said they work with the Baystate Health Breast and Wellness Center to provide personalized treatment for breast cancer patients actively going through treatment.
“Rays of Hope supports them by providing any equipment that they may need to make sure that we’re staying up to date on the newest technologies that we can possibly have,” she added.
Weir said the money also goes toward supporting survivorship. “Your journey doesn’t end as soon as your treatment ends. You carry on throughout your entire life for your survivorship.”
In addition to this, Weir noted that awareness is also a major part of Rays of Hope. With the walk, while it has its fundraising component and celebrates survivors or honors loved ones who may have passed, in the starting parking lot, there are tents with these resources available that people can visit.
On walk day and throughout the year, Weir said Rays of Hope has a “wonderful army” of volunteers, most of whom are breast cancer survivors themselves.
“Any time you’re talking to either one of our Rays of Hope staff members or a volunteer, we all understand exactly what you’re going through because most of our volunteers have experienced it firsthand or have had a loved one who has also experienced it.” She noted that this provides an “extra layer of comfort” for those who need it.
To register for the walk or run as an individual or as a team, visit baystatehealth.org/raysofhope.
Registration is open through Friday, Oct. 17, however, Weir said people can show up and register on walk day.
For those interested in volunteering, Weir said contact information is available on the website homepage, and people can contact her directly.
“It truly is an amazing experience for anyone who has participated in the past or if it is your first time, it really is something that is borderline indescribable,” said Weir.
She went on to describe it as a “great big pink hug,” with the thousands of people who get together and support the cause.
Even if you’re not able to do the walk, Weir said people can come to the parking lot and take advantage of the available resources and see what Rays of Hope is all about.
