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Holly Pivor considers her role as the co-chairman for Saturday's Norwalk Hospital Whittingham Cancer Center's annual benefit walk/run a privilege. A 10-year cancer survivor, the Weston woman still feels appreciative for the care she received from the center during her illness. This is her way of giving back.
"I am so impressed and grateful for the care that I received,'' says Holly, who co-chairs the event with her husband, Jeff. "It's the nurses, the social workers, the doctors, everybody. It's like a family. They provided wonderful support during the whole process."
The walk/run fund-raiser continues to grow in participation and contributions. Last year, Pivor says nearly 2,000 people participated in the 3K walk or 5K run. The event raised nearly $225,000. Proceeds support cancer services at Norwalk Hospital. The event has been held for seven years, but last year was the first for the 5K run. Holly and Jeff have participated every year. Zarek Mena, a cancer survivor who is still involved in the benefit, started the walk.
"Our biggest supporters are patients, friends and families of people who have been touched by the Whittingham Cancer Center,'' Jeff says. Last year, 26,000 people visited the center and there were 700 new cancer diagnoses. "It's one of the leading edge cancer centers, and it's right in our backyard,'' Jeff says.
The Pivors says Whittingham also provides support services for family members whose lives are affected by cancer. Jeff helped create a support group for partners to be effective caregivers when breast cancer strikes a loved one. "There's a lot of stress that doesn't get discussed,'' he says.
Registration begins Saturday, May 15, at 10 a.m. Runners and walkers can also register here. The 5K starts at 11 a.m, and the walk starts at noon. The day will feature drawings for prizes, an activity tent for children, and music from DNR, Fairfield County's (Almost) All-Physicians Rock Band. Runners and walkers can still register. Norwalk Mayor Richard Moccia has proclaimed May 15 Whittingham Cancer Center Day. "It's an event for everybody,'' Holly says. "We invite people to bring a beach chair and sit on the beach if they want. It's a terrific community event."
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