Thousands Raised for Local Cancer Patients

by Amy Kolb Noyes

MORRISVILLE The sun shined down on hundreds of Lamoille County
residents who made their way around the Peoples Academy track on
Saturday, June 28. The total raised for local cancer patients in the
first annual Lamoille Area Cancer Network LACiNg Up for Cancer event was

$64,500. According to event committee Chair Kathy Demars, money is still

trickling in from the weekend event.
"It was great," Demars commented Monday morning, "and we couldn't have
asked for a better day, besides. It was perfect."
Money came from 45 teams of walkers who gathered pledges for the 12 hour

walk around the track. Additional funds were raised through the sale of
approximately 2,000 luminaries, purchased in honor, or in memory, of
people who have fought cancer. Many area businesses also signed on as
sponsors.
After putting on a similar event for the American Cancer Society, local
organizers decided to turn their attention to the Lamoille Area Cancer
Network, which provides small grants to local cancer patients and their
caregivers. While recognizing the need for cancer research and other
good work done by the American Cancer Society, some committee members
felt more basic needs were going unmet for local cancer patients.
In and around Lamoille County, there are people fighting cancer who must

sometimes choose between food and medicine, committee members will tell
you. They would know. They work with those patients in their
professional lives at places like Copley Hospital and Lamoille Home
Health & Hospice.
LACN is a volunteer organization, with no operating expenses. Therefore,

100% of the money raised will go to buy wigs, food, medication,
transportation and other necessity and comfort items.
Lamoille Area Cancer Network was started three years ago by Elmore
resident Mary Hoisington and Margie Dean, of Wolcott. Saturday's
fundraiser earned LACN more than double the total amount the
organization was able to give out in grants last year.
"We've done it!" exclaimed Dean. She said the significantly larger
budget means they can help more people and provide larger grants.
"It was a great community event," said Demars. "It really felt like an
old-fashioned community event."
Demars noted the fire department came by with its new pumper truck and
sprayed water, like a mobile sprinkler, for the kids. In general, she
said, "Support from the community was incredible."
It's not too late to turn in your pledges or donation to LACN. Demars
said she also has some event t-shirts for sale. She can be reached at
888-7720. Demars encouraged anyone interested in helping to plan next
year's event to call her or Jill Baker at 888-8302