ENGLEWOOD - An annual walk-a-thon at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center Sunday drew over 750 participants, brought awareness to breast cancer and raised more than $100,000, hospital officials said.
For about an hour, scores of cancer survivors, spouses, residents, students and parents with young children converged on city streets. Some carried signs, a few walked dogs and others pushed children in strollers. They all had a message.
“I believe in giving people hope,” said Elinor France, a 41-year cancer survivor from Tappan, N.Y.
“It’s a journey,” said Judy Bottone of Bergenfield, who held a placard of her mother, Doloris Komifar, a five-year cancer survivor. “You support them. You hold their hand when they get weak. You give them hope and don’t let them give up.”
The 5-K walk, which started on Engle Street, featured WABC-TV news anchor Lori Stokes as its honorary chairwoman.
In its 13th year, the event benefits the Leslie Simon Breast Care and Cytodiagnosis Center, which was renamed in 2007 in memory of a courageous patient who lost a seven-year battle with breast cancer the year before.
Proceeds will also help patients receive early detection and usage of the center, regardless of their finances
“We provide services for patients who don’t have the resources,” said Jay Nadel, chairman of the hospital’s board of directors. “It helps us track the people, helps us fund the machinery, the drugs, the equipment and the physicians to make sure they are properly diagnosed and treated.”
Paul Fader, a board member who helped organized the walk, said event fills a need in the community.
“We wanted to make sure there was healing and support for the uninsured and the underinsured,” said Fader, a former mayor who came up with the idea after his wife, Jill, had been diagnosed with the disease.
Since its inception, the walk has added several fundraising initiatives — including Sunday’s memorial dog walk, named for Susan Luciana, a paralegal, who died after a recurrence from breast cancer.
Lexus of Englewood, that event’s co-sponsor, raised over $20,000, said Vinnie Calautti, the dealer’s delivery coordinator.
E-mail: gavin@northjersey.com
