ICYMI: Griffin Hospital in Derby changes 5K Walk/Run date

More than 580 runners and walkers took part in the Center for Cancer Care 5K Walk/Run last year, raising more than $50,000 for the Center’s patient support programs. This year’s Walk/Run has been moved to tomorrow. / Contributed photo

DERBY - The Annual Griffin Hospital 5K Walk/Run to benefit the Center for Cancer Care is moving to June. 

Griffin Hospital moved this traditional event to Saturday (June 6) to pair it with the hospital’s annual National Cancer Survivors’ activities.

“For the past six years, the Walk/Run has always been about bringing the community together to honor, celebrate and support local cancer survivors, so it seems like a perfect fit to move the Walk/Run to the weekend that we have traditionally invited our survivors to come back to the Center for Cancer Care to celebrate their strength,” said Christian Meagher, Walk/Run Director. 

Started as a way to celebrate the first anniversary of the building of the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, the first Walk/Run drew over 200 participants and raised more than $25,000. 

By 2014, those numbers grew to more than 560 participants and more than $50,000. Overall, the event has brought in more than $240,000 to help support local cancer survivors. 

This non-competitive, family-friendly event draws walkers and runners from all over the Lower Naugatuck Valley, including participants from Derby, Ansonia, Shelton, Seymour, Oxford, Naugatuck, and all over the state. 

Proceeds are earmarked for special needs of cancer patients, such as support for transportation, groceries and wig and salon services, as well as patient support programs at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital. Area cancer survivors are invited to celebrate the event at a free survivors’ reception that offers food and free massages. 

Participants can walk or run individually, or may form a team with their family, friends and co-workers. 

Participants may also collect pledges or purchase a commemorative sign to honor or memorialize a loved one at the event. 
Check-in for the event begins at 7:30 a.m. in the Center for Cancer Care parking lot, 350 Seymour Ave. 

The Walk/Run is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Pre-registration is encouraged, and the first 500 registered participants will receive T-shirts. 

The 5K registration fee will increase from $25 to $30 after May 23. Individuals and teams can register online at griffinhealth.org/5k. 

For more information, call 203-732-7431 or e-mail 5kwalkrun@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.