After two virtual years, Cancer Support Community Hope Walk returns in-person

After two virtual years, Cancer Support Community Hope Walk returns in-person

After two virtual years, Cancer Support Community Hope Walk returns in-person
Photos courtesy Cancer Support Community
Rob Tufel and Aileen Cameron

WALNUT CREEK, CA (May 29, 2022) — Even before the pandemic, cancer patients and their families had a deep understanding of the impact of isolation and uncertainty.

Staying home, missing celebrations and milestones, waiting for test results and not knowing what the future would hold were all part of a cancer patient’s experience.

For all these reasons, the Cancer Support Community Hope Walk was a cause for celebration. The event finally took place in-person after two virtual years. It brought together over 900 people to raise funds for free support programs for cancer patients and their families.

Participants arrived at Heather Farm Park with smiles and hugs. Many had only seen each other on Zoom for the past couple of years. In some cases had only known each other through their computer screens.

Important Day

Hope Walk Chair and cancer survivor, Aileen Cameron lead the way. Following her, hundreds of people dressed in red and blue walked through the Walnut Creek Park. “This day is so important to me and my family. When I was first diagnosed, the Hope Walk was a day that truly inspired me and brought me great comfort to see all of these people who knew what I was going through. I’m thrilled to have led the planning committee this year,” says Aileen.

Cancer Support Community CEO, Rob Tufel, MSW, MPH, agreed.  “The Hope Walk is our first in-person event in two years. Nothing can replace being able to connect and celebrate with other patients, survivors and families. It is truly a healing experience.”

The event included a virtual Hope Walk Week, where people all over the world raised funds. “We have walkers in England, Poland, France, Hawaii, Denver, and all over California. We are all connected by cancer, and this has been an important way for people to share their stories and celebrate our great community,” says Tufel.

Free support programs

Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area has been a vital community resource for over 30 years providing free support programs to thousands of cancer patients and their families, both virtual and in-person. Their comprehensive programs complement the medical care patients receive and focus on treating the whole person.

Programs include support groups, counseling, nutrition classes, exercise, educational workshops with leading health professionals – all designed to improve health outcomes and quality of life.

Contra Costa County Fire Department’s Project Pink Wheels engine transports people to their first or last day of cancer treatment. It aims to show cancer patients that they are not alone in the fight.

This year’s Hope Walk raised a record $228,000. These funds support of programs and services for cancer patients and their families.  The amount makes this the most successful Hope Walk ever.

“We are so grateful to the incredible sponsors, including Presenting Sponsors John Muir Health and UCSF Health as well as Platinum sponsor Exelixis and Silver sponsors Stanford Medicine, and Takeda Oncology and the hundreds of generous individuals for understanding how important it is to support cancer patients and families in the Bay Area. We can’t wait until next year,” says Tufel.

For more information about Cancer Support Community, visit cancersupport.net.

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