This year, I will again be participating in The Prouty with my long-time (over 20 years!) support group, Team TGIF, and the thousands of community members who will bike, walk, row, golf and more to raise money for Dartmouth Cancer Center.

Eight years ago I walked a Virtual Prouty in Nashville with one of my dearest friends, who was there attending my son, Matt's, wedding. It was the last time we were together as she passed away several months later from metastatic breast cancer which she had battled for more than two decades.  

As a member of Team TGIF, our group has experienced too many similar stories of close friends and family enduring and eventually succumbing to the ravages of various cancers. But we walk for hope as well. I walk in honor of my sister, cousins and friends who have fought successfully to beat back cancer. I also walk in memory of family and friends who have not been able to overcome the destructive tentacles of the disease. 

In fact, more than one third of all people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetimes.* It’s a universal problem that touches everyone, including the most important people in our lives. That’s why I joined The Prouty many years ago. All of the funds raised go toward cutting-edge cancer research and crucial patient support services at the Cancer Center. Hope starts here!

All funds raised will help fund innovative researchers and clinicians who are dedicated to finding ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. Prouty funds also provide meaningful patient and family support services that are otherwise unfunded—such as support groups, massage, art therapy programs, transportation and grocery assistance, and more.

As always, thank you so much for your support!

Patty

*Source: National Cancer Institute