Lucy Giuggio Carvalho was 38 when she was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer in 1993. Thankful for the care she received at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, she decided to give back and formed Rays of Hope to help support breast cancer patients throughout their cancer journey and into survivorship.

Since it was founded in 1994, Rays of Hope has been committed to improving the breast health of people in our communities with quality and compassion. The event has grown from 500 to over 20,000 participants and has raised over $17.2 million - all of which supports patient care, services and research throughout western Massachusetts.

In partnership with the Baystate Health Breast Network and Baystate Health Foundation, funding benefits research at the Rays of Hope Center for Breast Cancer Research, breast cancer programs and services, outreach and education, and awards grants to various community support programs and organizations.