WALK & RUN TOWARD THE CURE OF BREAST CANCER

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We’re asking everyone to once again EMBRACE THE POWER OF PINK and help keep hope alive in Western Massachusetts. Research at Springfield's own Rays of Hope Center for Breast Cancer Research will not stop until we have found a cure but we need your help to keep this going. Embrace the Big Pink Hug that surrounds the survivors in our communities who are living with breast cancer. They need your support now more than ever.

Start fundraising today by registering for the Rays of Hope Walk & Run Toward the Cure and set up your personalized fundraising page. Share your fundraising page with family and friends to collect donations and bring us one step closer to a world without breast cancer.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
WHO HELP MAKE THE WALK & RUN POSSIBLE!

The Walk & Run Toward the Cure steps off from Temple Beth El – Springfield and follows a 2-mile and 5-mile scenic route through Springfield’s Forest Park and surrounding neighborhoods.

7:30am ~ Runner Registration Open

8:30am ~ 8K Run Starts
9:00am ~ Walker Registration Opens
9:45am ~ Survivor Photo
10:30am ~ Walk Steps Off

Start your fundraising today, by registering as an individual or joining a team, and help us spread hope to survivors located right here in Western Massachusetts.

THE OFFICIAL 2025 WALK & RUN PARTICIPANT TEE

While there is no minimum donation to participate, each participant who raises at least $50 will receive the official 2025 Rays of Hope Participant T-Shirt. But, don't stop there! Keep fundraising to unlock other Walk & Run exclusive incentives, like a coupon to the Rays of Hope merchandise store, BIG WIG status and SUPER BIG WIG status.

Learn more about our PINK PERKS incentives program here.

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PARKING INFORMATION

Parking for Walk & Run participants is located at remote lots in the surrounding communities and shuttle buses will run continuously throughout the day to bring you to and from the starting line.

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE DIRECTIONS TO EACH PARKING LOCATION.

Parking is located at the following locations:

RUNNER PARKING OPENS AT 7:30am: Springfield Elks Lodge (440 Tiffany St Springfield)
Blueberry Hill Elementary School (275 Blueberry Hill Rd Longmeadow)
Cartamundi (443 Shaker Rd East Longmeadow)
East Longmeadow High School (180 Maple St East Longmeadow)
Longmeadow High School (95 Grassy Gutter Rd Longmeadow)

Handicap Parking is available at the starting location, Temple Beth El (979 Dickinson St., Springfield, MA), with an official handicap placard and/or license plates ONLY. For more information, contact the Rays of Hope office at (413) 794-8001.

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WALK & RUN ROUTE DIRECTIONS

Walk participants can choose to conquer either the 2- or 5- mile route and spread hope throughout their journey. Both routes step off from the 'Hope Starts Here' Arch located at Temple Beth El and follow a path through Springfield's scenic Forest Park and surrounding neighborhoods before completing the loop back to Temple Beth El. While all are encouraged to participate in the 5-mile loop, the 2-mile route is more accessible for those with mobility issues. Throughout both loops, there are water stations with volunteers to help cheer you along the way and call for walk support, if needed.

The 8k Run Toward the Cure follows along the 5-mile walk route, starting at Temple Beth El, Springfield, MA.

While we do encourage participants of all ages to join in on the fun, dogs/pets are not allowed at the Walk & Run. Registered service animals are welcome.

5-MILE ROUTE DIRECTIONS

2-MILE ROUTE DIRECTIONS

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8K RUN TOWARD THE CURE

1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their life time. Help us run breast cancer out of town!

7:30am ~ Parking Lot Opens (Springfield Elks Lodge, 440 Tiffany Street, Springfield, MA)
7:30am ~ In-Person Registration & Bib Pick-Up Opens
**Runners who have raised a minimum of $50 will receive the official Rays of Hope Walk & Run T-shirt when picking up their bib.
8:30am ~ RUN STEPS OFF

8K RUN ROUTE MAP

Timing for the run is provided by Accu-Spec Timing.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2024 RUN RESULTS!

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DONATE & GIVE HOPE

The Walk & Run Toward the Cure is a fundraising event you can enjoy with family and friends while giving hope to breast cancer survivors in our communities. Let's raise funds and walk together toward the cure of breast cancer.

To register, simply select whether you'd like to join as an individual or as part of a team, choose if you prefer to walk or run, set your fundraising goal and start spreading pink hope!

Share your personalized participant center with friends, family and coworkers, collect online donations and reach your fundraising goal.
Each participant who reaches our fundraising minimum of $50 will receive the official 2025 Walk & Run Participant T-shirt.

Use our downloadable Walk Paper to keep track of offline donations made by check.
Store these checks in a safe place until Walk Day, when you can turn them in at Registration.
Team Captains are responsible for collecting Walk Papers and donations from their team members and submitting everything together on Walk Day.

Please note all Baystate Health entities are now cashless. Please convert any cash donations to credit card or check donations prior to Walk Day.
While all donations are valued, only credit card donations made through your participant center are counted toward our incentive program. Offline/Check donations will not be added to the fundraising total located on a walker's participant center.

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PINK HOPE SURVIVORS' LOUNGE

SURVIVORS: Visit the Pink Hope Survivors' Lounge to pick up your Survivor T-shirt and enjoy a selection resources available only to survivors! This exclusive survivors-only space is dedicated to celebrating and honoring survivors like you. It’s our way of saying thank you for your strength and resilience. Join us for a moment of celebration, community, and recognition as we honor your journey!

Visit our Survivor Resource page for a complete list of helpful links for whereever you are in your breast cancer journey.

*PLEASE NOTE: Survivor T-shirts are available to SURVIVORS ONLY on a first come first serve basis, with limited sizing available. Pre-registration is not necessary to visit the Pink Hope Lounge, but registration is required to participate in the Walk & Run and become a fundraiser.

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CONTACT US

CALL US! (413) 794-8001

EMAIL US! raysofhope@baystatehealth.org

Donation checks can be made payable to

'Baystate Health Foundation- Rays of Hope'

and mailed to our office at:

Baystate Health Foundation
ATTN: Rays of Hope
280 Chestnut Street
Springfield, MA 01199

LET'S BE SOCIAL

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest Rays of Hope news! Don't forget to tag us @raysofhopema in your walk photos for a chance to be featured on the Rays of Hope page!