HOULTON, Maine — On Saturday, the Bridge to Hope will hold its annual “Breast Cancer Awareness Walk” with registration starting at 9 a.m. and the walk following at 10 a.m.
Starting at the Gentle Memorial Building, the walk will wind its way through downtown Houlton, over the Gateway Crossing bridge and back to the Gentle Memorial Building.
Last year, a total of 300 walkers participated in the event, raising a record $11,089.
The mission of Bridge to Hope, which is a non-profit organization, is to help people in southern Aroostook County with financial support during cancer treatments. The organization has helped hundreds of families over the past 12 years, with such kind gestures as gasoline gift cards and hotel accommodations. The group also has helped with travel expenses for patients undergoing cancer treatments or having appointments in central and southern Maine.
In October of 2005, 50 people participated in the first Bridge To Hope Breast Cancer Awareness Walk through downtown Houlton. That year, they raised about $800 for the American Cancer Society.
In 2006, Kim Folsom, Dee Henderson and Marie Carmichael joined the cause and have since been joined by Pam and Amy Hocking. Each year since then, participation has grown and the benefits to the local area have skyrocketed.
The walk originally was to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but has evolved to help individuals with all types of cancer. It has raised more than $100,000 over the past 10 years, with 90 percent of that money helping local people.
For more information, contact Kim Folsom at 538-6973.
