The 23rd annual UMass Cancer Walk and Run, held on Sunday, Oct. 17, at Polar Park in Worcester, is expected to bring in more than $700,000, exceeding fundraising goals.
After a virtual walk last year due to the pandemic, this in-person event drew more than 3,000 participants to support adult and pediatric cancer research and clinical trials. It was held at Polar Park in part due to ongoing campus construction at the UMass Chan Medical School Worcester campus. The leading sponsors for the event were Harr Auto Group, UMass Memorial Health, Carr Financial Group, Crothall Healthcare, Genentech and Table Talk Pies. Adam Webster served as emcee.
“Our 23rd event was unlike any before it,” said Julie Bowditch, manager of the UMass Cancer Walk and community fundraising in the Office of Advancement. “It was exciting for our participants to celebrate at Polar Park in the heart of the Worcester community, and we are proud to be the biggest and best non-baseball event there to date. We smashed our initial goals and expect to exceed $700,000 in funds raised.”
Donations are still being accepted, with 100 percent of the funds going toward research and clinical trials.