Each year, Rays of Hope holds a fundraising walk to celebrate those who have or have had cancer and survived, and to memorialize those who lost their battle. But this year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will be held virtually instead.
Through the Baystate Health Breast Network, Rays of Hope cares for a person from diagnosis and beyond by supporting research at the Rays of Hope Center for Breast Cancer Research, which has provided Baystate Health hospitals like Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield with state-of-the-art equipment, breast health programs, outreach and education, and grants for complementary therapies to community partners throughout Western Massachusetts.
Michelle Graci, manager of Baystate Health Foundation, and Michelle Shattuck, Rays of Hope events coordinator, said that with Rays of Hope’s annual fundraiser underway through the end of the year, and with October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to talk about breast cancer and how it affects everyone in one way or another. The two women are both survivors themselves.
“This is a labor of love,” Shattuck said. “I’m a two-time breast cancer survivor, so I feel like I can not only do a lot of good by working with Rays of Hope, but can speak to people who are going through breast cancer in a helpful and understanding way. I know what they’re going through, how they feel.”
Shattuck said though more attention is given to breast cancer in October because the month is dedicated to it, it is a 365-day-a-year issue.
“I just try to keep it all positive,” she said.
Shattuck and Graci said the one thing they didn’t want to do this year is give up hope.
“People are being diagnosed with breast cancer every day,” Shattuck said. “We have to focus on that while following the protocols of a pandemic.
Graci said the fundraising walk in Springfield typically attracts 20,000 participants, and Rays of Hope raises about $600,000 each year.
“This is our first time doing it like this, so we have no idea what the outcome will be,” Graci said. “We understand that people are struggling, some have lost their jobs. We’ll just have to see.”
Shattuck and Graci said people are currently doing what they would have done, walking or running to raise money, but alone. Anyone can start or join a team virtually.
“I walk up Sugarloaf in Deerfield every day,” Shattuck said. “People donate money themselves or ask others to donate. I’ve been able to raise $1,500 so far.”
At the end of the in-person event each year, the Parade of Hope is held. This year, the event will be held as a drive-thru where there will be photos of survivors on a Jumbotron. Only those who register can attend.
Participants can register online for $30, while survivors can register for free. For more information, visit baystatehealth.org/raysofhope or email raysofhope@baystatehealth.org.
Breast Surgical Oncologist Jesse Casaubon at Baystate Franklin said the Greenfield hospital has been able to purchase a lot of equipment because of Rays of Hope.
“We use the equipment in training and in surgery,” he said. “Because of that and the investment Baystate Health has made in BFMC, we offer the same level of care as they do in Springfield.”
Casaubon said that’s important because breast cancer is the most common cancer for women, and the things they can do to find it early, when it’s very treatable and easy to cure, help substantially. He said the entire hospital system does its best to educate the community, offer mammograms and more. Last year, Baystate Franklin conducted more than 4,000 mammograms.
A patient has a team that includes a breast surgeon, nurse practitioner, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist working closely to evaluate the individual’s situation and develop a treatment plan.
“Some really important factors in determining whether you get breast cancer or the outcome is living a healthy, active lifestyle, getting an annual mammogram and doing self-exams,” he said.
A healthy diet and exercise is sometimes overlooked as a preventive measure, Casaubon added.
“People do better and live longer when they take care of themselves and are also aware of their family history,” he said. “If multiple first-degree relatives have had breast cancer, then you’re at a higher risk. Also, if people lower their body mass index, that can help prevent breast cancer.”
Casaubon stressed that while mammograms don’t prevent breast cancer, they can detect it early when it’s easiest to cure. He said women should schedule mammograms even during the pandemic.
“I can’t say ‘early detection’ enough,” he said. “We are offering more hours — nights and weekends — so that we keep everyone safe.”
Casaubon said the Baystate Health system is unique in that patients don’t need a doctor’s referral to schedule a mammogram; instead, a patient can call directly and schedule one.
For more information, visit baystatehealth.org or call 413-794-8874 to schedule a mammogram in Greenfield.
Reach Anita Fritz at 413-772-9591 or afritz@recorder.com.