Cancer patients and their families face many uncertainties including diagnosis, treatment options and oftentimes, financial concerns. Trying to figure out how to pay for transportation to treatment, needed prescriptions, supplements and other essential items can add stress to an already extremely stressful situation. The Gene Gillis Fund at Concord Hospital Payson Center for Cancer Care helps support Payson Center patients in need with any out-of-pocket expenses associated with their treatment.
The seventh annual Pedaling for Payson fundraising event held Sept. 15 raised more than $150,000 in contributions, corporate sponsorships and in-kind donations to support the Gene Gillis Fund. The cycling event included more than 300 participants who rode in either the 77-mile, 51-mile, 30-mile or 16-mile rides.
“On behalf of Sharon Rivard and myself, I would like to express our utmost gratitude for the countless hours of work put into this event by our committee members, Concord Hospital’s philanthropy staff and employees, and all of our volunteers,” said Kevin Swenson, event co-chairman and premier sponsor. “We are deeply grateful for the spirit of generosity displayed by all of our participants and sponsors, whether their gifts were financial or in-kind. This year’s event goals were very ambitious and thanks to a lot of dedication, we met or exceeded those goals. We look forward to starting to plan for next years event ever mindful that what was begun seven years ago is indeed ‘making a difference’ for so many people in our community.”
