STAMFORD, CT/June 2009 -
Hope in Motion — Walk,
Run & Ride celebrated
its 14th anniversary on
June 7, 2009 with a
warm, sunny day that
attracted more than
4,000 walkers, runners
and riders to Columbus
Park in downtown
Stamford. Participants
took to the streets to
commemorate National
Cancer Survivors Day®,
raise vital dollars for
local cancer programs
and services, and honor
those whose lives have
been touched by the
disease.
The community responded
with great enthusiasm
and generosity to this
year’s event in spite of
a tough economy. While
results are still being
tabulated as donations
are accepted until the
end of September, more
than $700,000 has
already been collected.
"We are confident that
this year’s event will
raise as much as last
year for Stamford
Hospital's Bennett
Cancer Center’s programs
and services," stated
Elizabeth Manfredo,
Director of Oncology
Services. "Every dollar
donated to Hope in
Motion makes a
difference in the lives
of local cancer patients
whether providing
state-of-the-art
treatments, or free
rides back and forth to
treatments, grants to
those having financial
issues and integrative
services to reduce pain
and stress. We are
overjoyed with the
success of this year's
event, and thank
everyone who
participated for making
it such a wonderful
day."
On event day,
participants from all
over Fairfield County
arrived in Columbus
Park. A remarkable team
of over 120 volunteers
and a crew of people
from all branches of
local government guided
the participants through
the streets for the
three events. At 7:30
a.m. the riders took off
on a 50 mile route that
traversed all of
Stamford and into
Westchester County and
back. At 9:00 a.m. a
record 700 Runners ran a
5K route through the
downtown area. At 10:00
a.m. walkers of all ages
went up Bedford Street
and returned via Summer
Street.
On stage, the UBS choir
sang the national
anthem; dignitaries were
introduced to the crowd
(Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele,
Mayor Dannell Malloy,
Darrell Harvey (Co-CEO
of The Ashforth Company,
the founding and
presenting sponsor) and
Brian Grissler (CEO of
Stamford Hospital);
Magical Music for Life,
a youth singing group
from New Canaan,
performed; Music in
Motion dj's kept the
music pumping; and after
the events the Ska band,
DBF, performed some
lively tunes that had
people dancing in the
street.
Rest stops sponsored by
UBS and Synapse provided
walkers with
encouragement as well as
water donated by Crystal
Rock and orange slices
donated by Costco for
refreshment. A dozen
restaurants offered
discounts for
participants who wanted
lunch, snacks or dinner
after the event.
Continued updates on
fundraising, photos from
the event, and, in the
Fall, a Tribute Book
will be available for
viewing at
www.hope-in-motion.org
until the end of the
year. The date for the
15th anniversary event
is Sunday, June 6,
2009.
The Hope in Motion event
is presented by Stamford
Health Foundation, the
fundraising arm of
Stamford Hospital. The
event’s Founding and
Presenting sponsor is
The Ashforth Company.
Other event sponsors
include: The Advocate
& Greenwich Time;
96.7 the coast/Cox
Radio; UBS; Thomson
Reuters; Graham Capital
Management; Money
Mailer; Westchester
Family Magazine; Synapse
Group; DKR Capital;
Jackson Lewis; News12
Connecticut; Costco;
Whole Foods; Robeks;
Athlete's Foot; David's
Catering; Marcia Selden
Catering; Fairfield
County Business Journal;
Stamford Downtown
Special Services
District; Anthem Blue
Cross/Blue Shield; Happy
Tails; KT Health &
Fitness; and many more
local businesses offered
their support.;
www.hope-in-motion.org