More than 700 registered participants, volunteers and supporters came together in the spirit of Halloween on Sunday, October 29 for the 5th annual United in Wellness Cancer Walk & Trick or Treat Trot 5K & Creepy Crawler Fun Run in support of programs, services and patients at Exeter Hospital’s Center for Cancer Care. Hosted by Exeter Hospital and Core Podiatry, this year’s event was the most successful to date in both participation and in fundraising, with more than $38,000 raised to benefit The Center for Cancer Care.
“We are so excited to see this community event grow and for the enthusiastic participation by so many teams this year,” said Eileen McDonald, director of the Center for Cancer Care. “The funds raised will support the continued growth of innovative cancer services here at Exeter Hospital.”
This year’s Trick or Treat Trot 5K winners included: 1st place overall male and female winners, Brandon Baker & Emily Lafferty; and 1st place overall male and female employee winners, Richard Feeney, DO, Core Physiatry & Karla Greco, MD, Core Anesthesia. Top fundraisers were also recognized, including top individual fundraiser, Dawn MacArthur; top employee fundraiser, Cindy SantaBarbara; top team fundraiser, the Mominator Squad; and top employee team fundraiser: A dAy AwAy: EHR Advancement. Awards were also given to 2nd and 3rd place overall and age group division 5K winners, as well as best costumes. For additional race results, visit www.coolrunning.com.
Each year the event garners an overwhelming amount of community support from local area businesses, including Exeter Health Resources’ Community Advancement Partners, Autofair Nissan, D.F. Richard, Hannaford, Northeast Delta Dental, Optima Bank & Trust and Seacoast United Sports Club. This year’s platinum level title sponsors were Eastern Bank, Medtronic and Open Arms Racing Heart Foundation.
In addition, many community organizations were on site providing an opportunity for participants to learn about the impact these organizations have within our local community. Community organizations included Connor’s Climb, Exeter Area YMCA/Exeter Run Club and the Richie McFarland Children’s Center, the presenting sponsor of this year’s Creepy Crawler Fun Run. The Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, whose leading radiation and medical oncologists provide care for patients at Exeter Hospital’s Center for Cancer Care, were also on site with their “Everyday Amazing” van encouraging participants to share what makes their everyday amazing and who inspires them in their daily lives.
Dan Raposa, director of advancement, Exeter Health Resources, explained, “The success and growth of this year’s event was an extraordinary effort that would not have been possible without the support of our entire community – sponsors, contributors, participants, fundraisers, donors, volunteers and community partners. To see everyone come together to directly support our community hospital and its patients is incredibly inspiring.”
To learn more about upcoming events and/or how community members may get involved in supporting Exeter Hospital and its affiliates advance their mission of improving the health of our community, visit www.unitedinwellness.org.
Top fundraising team, the Mominator Squad, joined in the fun at this year's event.