GREENFIELD — Baystate Health’s 13th annual Wheeling for Healing looks a little different this year, as it is being held virtually due to the pandemic.
According to Baystate Health Foundation Fundraising Events Manager Stephanie Johnson, it is the first time a virtual event is being held to thank participants, donors and sponsors for their continued support at a time when providing cancer care and services is “more important than ever.”
The annual event, typically held at the end of August, has raised more than $477,000 over the past 13 years, and proceeds continue to benefit patients and survivors receiving cancer care at the local hospital by providing medical equipment, comfort items and alternative therapies.
Wheeling for Healing started in 2008 to help ensure high-quality care was available locally for cancer patients, and so far, the money raised has helped purchase state-of-the-art infusion chairs and exam tables, helped provide support improvements for better healing environments, and funded art therapy and yoga to encourage wholesome healing, Johnson said.
The fundraising will continue through the rest of the year, Johnson said, so people can still register to participate and support cancer care at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. The fundraiser has collected more than $10,000 so far this year.
“We are so grateful to our participants and donors who have already raised over $10,000 online, in addition to our corporate sponsorships and ‘offline’ donations,” she said. “We hope even more participants will come together virtually and help us reach our lifetime goal of $500,000 before the end of the year. With all that is happening in health care, now, more than ever, cancer patients and those who love them need our support.”
Johnson said this year’s event looks very different, with participants registering to ride, walk or run on any course they like. Instead of gathering at Greenfield Community College for everyone to participate together, teams and individuals are completing the course on their own. They can do the 25-mile ride all at once or complete the 5K over the course of a week, whatever they decide.
“You can create a route around your neighborhood or explore somewhere new,” she said. “Just pick a bright sunny day or a cool fall morning.”
People who registered for Wheeling for Healing in advance this year were able to join Baystate Franklin on Aug. 16 for a first-ever drive-through rally of support, and they were able to pick up a T-shirt at that time.
To make a donation or to register, visit bit.ly/2DexKaF.
Reach Anita Fritz at 413-772-9591 or afritz@recorder.com.