As in previous years, in a few weeks, I will be rowing a double in The Prouty along with thousands of my fellow community members who will bike, walk, row, golf and more to raise money for Dartmouth Cancer Center. This year is particularly special, however, as I will be rowing 20k to honour the memory of my dear friend, Lisa Claudy Fleishman, from Harvard, who recently passed away at 64 from heart and brain cancer after a 5-year battle. I will also row in support of her husband and soul mate since college who also has cancer and of course my mother and others I knew who succumbed to the disease.

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 always join The Prouty. All of the funds I raise go toward cutting-edge cancer research and crucial patient support services at the Cancer Center. 

Our Friends of Upper Valley Rowing team is in the top 3 of fundraisers for the event each year and everyone of our 60+ strong juniors (age 13-18) participate and raise their entry fees with car washes, bake sales and other group efforts. In addition, we have another 100+ team members helping us to break fund rasising goals for the event overall.

*Source: National Cancer Institute

Here are two ways that you can help support patients, doctors and caregivers in the fight against cancer: 

1. Join me! Register for The Prouty today.
2. Make a gift to my Prouty fundraiser and help me exceed my goal. My total to date is $6000 of which more than half comes from matching gifts. I would like to get to $7000. Click the ‘donate’ button to support my efforts in the 2023 Prouty.

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.

With gratitude for your support in this especially poignant year, Debbie