UMass Medicine Cancer Walk donors thanked at reception

January 30, 2013

Teams and donors who raised $1,000 or more for the 2012 UMass Medicine Cancer Walk were honored at a thank-you reception on Tuesday, Jan. 22, in the Green Hill Reception Area on the 7th floor of the Ambulatory Care Center.

Giles F. Whalen, MD, professor of surgery and interim director of the UMass Medicine Cancer Center of Excellence, served as the master of ceremonies and thanked all in attendance for their fundraising efforts that raised $350,000 through the Cancer Walk held in September 2012. Andrew Evens, DO, associate professor of medicine, spoke about how funds raised translate to research and clinical trials at the Cancer Center.

Guest speakers included Carlos Perez, a cancer survivor, who talked about how fundraising helps get resources for the vital research being done at the Cancer Center. He also shared how supporting advance medical research and patient care in our local community is important to cancer patients like himself.

Kathy Hutchinson, CEO of UMass Five College Federal Credit Union, spoke about how the passion of one employee, Kathy Gemme, for the Cancer Walk was infectious and eventually led to all five branches becoming involved in this annual event.

Volunteers are urged to join in the cause to advance cancer treatments and eradicate this disease by participating in fundraising effort for the 15th annual UMass Medicine Cancer Walk, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 29. More information can be found at www.umassmed.edu/cancerwalk, on Facebook (umasscancerwalk) and via Twitter (@UMassCancerWalk).