Springfield recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month before Rays of Hope Walk

SPRINGFIELD — The city recognized breast cancer awareness month three days before thousands are expected to step off for the annual Rays of Hope run and walk fundraiser.

This year’s 32nd annual Rays of Hope event will start at 8 a.m. Sunday. As is tradition, the 32nd annual event will begin at Temple Beth El on Dickinson Street and travel through Forest Park. Over the three decades, Rays of Hope has raised more than $17 million which stays locally and funds treatments, research and other supports for breast cancer patients.

Standing on the front steps flanked by Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Baystate Health Dr. Rawad Elias and Kathy Tobin, director of annual events and giving, for the Baystate Health Foundation, Lucy Giuggio-Carvalho talked about how the grassroots walk she started decades ago after being diagnosed with cancer morphed into a major fundraiser.

“It tells us we are important,” she said. “You are giving hope and love to all breast cancer survivors.”

Every year in the days before Rays of Hope, city employees wear pink and denim and raise money toward the cause. Over the years they have contributed more than $10,000 to Rays of Hope, Sarno said.

In addition, the Campanile Clock Tower at City Hall, the Union Station parking garage, the Basketball Hall of Fame and other buildings will display pink lights this month for the event, he said.

Sarno said he will attend Sunday’s walk wearing the pink soccer socks his daughter gave him years ago to ensure he was appropriately dressed. This year, the walk is even more significant as he continues to face his own battle with cancer.

There are also at least four women who work or have worked in his office who are cancer survivors and multiple others who work in City Hall, he said.

“It has affected people on my own staff and I continue my challenge to defeat my cancer,” Sarno said.

A week before the event the Health and Human Services Committee met with Baystate doctors, Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris and other to discuss concerns about cancer rates in Springfield.

City Councilor Brian Santaniello said he was concerned that Black women have a 38% higher mortality rate than white women who are diagnosed with cancer locally.

Doctors said the best tool continues to be early detection so it can be caught quickly. Early detection also means treatment does not have to be as aggressive in many cases.

While genetics play a big part, doctors also discussed economic concerns as well. Many women want to fight cancer but have to weigh out-of-pocket expenses for treatment and the fact that sometimes they have to be out of work.