With sunny skies and light winds making the day feel like a million dollars in Hanover, more than 5,000 participants and some 1,300 volunteers teamed up to triple the feeling by raising more than $3.1 million for cancer care and research in the Prouty, Northern New England’s largest charity fundraiser.
People from all over the country come together every July to raise funds by walking or cycling through neighborhoods and roads in New Hampshire and Vermont, rowing on the Connecticut River, or hitting the links at the Hanover Country Club.
After finishing their events, participants returned to Hanover’s Richmond Middle School to join the all-day Prouty party. They passed through a huge balloon-covered arch at the finish line to enter a field where thousands of people swarmed the food tent, waited patiently for massages, and checked out cancer research breakthroughs at the Discovery Tent. Hungry participants and volunteers lined tables filled with 4,000 burrito bowls and wraps, 1,300 hot dogs, 1,000 burgers, 400 pizzas, 3,000 cookies, freshly cut fruit, and other assorted rewards for their hard work. Other tents offered live music, shaded seating, team gathering places, and kids’ activities.
Displays in the Discovery Tent highlighted the scientific research at the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (NCCC) that has been supported by Prouty funds. Posters described recent discoveries and cancer prevention findings, and researchers were on hand to show that Prouty dollars make a difference, explaining how their work is being translated into clinical practice.
“The Prouty makes the fight against cancer a community effort,” said Mark Israel, MD, director of NCCC. “It’s an effort that makes a real difference in our work every day. Researchers use Prouty funds to develop their ideas and attract large grants. More than $1.2 million dollars in seed grant money supplied by The Prouty over a five-year period has generated $20 million in external support for our cancer research.”
The Prouty also funds patient services such as massages, writing-for-healing workshops, support services, and patient libraries.
“We’re so grateful to our participants, our volunteers, and our sponsors,” said Jean Brown, event director and executive director of the Friends of Norris Cotton Cancer Center. “Every year, we end this day inspired by the dedication of the Prouty community, and ready to honor their dedication by making progress against cancer and making this event even better next year.”