11/09/2023

Seacoast Cancer 5K Raises $300K for Mass General Cancer Center at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital

DOVER, NH – The Seacoast Cancer 5K celebrated its 10th annual event in style, raising more than $324,165 for the Mass General Cancer Center at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.

More than 1,800 runners and walkers participated in the race, which was held in late September. Jacob Dowman and Nicole Toye were the top male and female finishers, respectively.

For the second consecutive year, the event was hosted at Wentworth-Douglass' Portsmouth Outpatient Center on the Pease Tradeport. Somersworth Nissan served as title sponsor for the third consecutive year.

“We are so grateful for the continued support from so many across the Seacoast and the state,” said Jan Wood, interim vice president of philanthropy. “This event is great fun, but it’s so much more than that. It is an important way to celebrate our friends and loved ones who have gone through or are going through a cancer journey, it’s a way to remember the loved ones we miss, and it is an event that raises vital funds we need now more than ever to support our wrap around supportive care that is not covered through reimbursements.”

The event also recognized two employees personally impacted by cancer. Becky Sherburne, Wentworth-Douglass’ director of inpatient services, was named “honorary patient.”  Her daughter Kendra, who is also a nurse at the hospital, founded the year’s top fundraising team. “Team BS” raised more than $25,800, and has raised more than $80,000 for the cancer center over the last three years.

Now under the leadership of committee chair Paul Jenkins, of the Hanger Clinic, the event had raised more than $2 million over the last decade for local cancer patients and their families.

The funds raised are critical to underwrite the cancer center’s supportive and wellness services, which offer integrative therapies and support that are often not covered by insurance. The program includes acupuncture, Reiki, massage therapy and exercise classes, as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology. The program also allows patients to meet with oncology social workers, nutritionists, and patient navigators, as well as supporting basic needs for those who cannot afford transportation, gas cards, groceries, or other necessities during treatment.

For the fifth consecutive year, NBC Sports color analyst and Boston hoops favorite Brian Scalabrine was in attendance serving as “Honorary Team Captain.”