Each year for the past 37 years, the Avera Race Against Cancer has raised hope, awareness and enthusiasm as well as a total of $12 million to benefit local cancer patients.
This year, as walkers and runners again lace up their shoes, the Avera Race is expected to raise over $700,000 through registration fees and contributions of sideline supporters.
“The Avera Race is a wonderful event because it celebrates cancer survivorship, as well as those lives we have lost to this disease. It’s an inspirational, meaningful time when communities come together to support cancer patients – past, present and future,” said Katie Van Beek, Avera Vice President of Oncology. “Even after 37 years, it continues to gain momentum.”
Sign up for the Avera Race Against Cancer on May 10. Run, walk or be a sideline supporter. Events are in all six regional centers of Avera:
Avera cancer leaders are intentional about where dollars are allocated. “Funds are designated system-wide to benefit local cancer patients,” Van Beek said. Here are some priority areas for the coming year:
Complementary Services
These complement cancer treatments to improve symptoms and help patients experience well-being during cancer care. Options include massage therapy, aromatherapy, music therapy, arts in healing, mind-body movement classes and more.
“A new project we’ve just launched is our journey beads to make a bracelet or keychain,” Van Beek said. Along with Avera Foundation dollars, journey beads were funded by a grant through the South Dakota Community Foundation. “We have this beautiful selection of beads that patients can choose from to signify a new milestone, like completing chemotherapy or radiation treatments,” Van Beek said. “These milestones can be anything that’s significant to the patient.”
The New Look, Same You program helps patients with self-image while going through cancer care. Thanks to support of the Avera Race, patients across all regions can receive a complimentary wig and support of a dedicated cosmetologist to address hair loss and its impact to physical appearance.
Avera Navigation Center
Avera Race funds have supported the Avera Cancer Navigation Center for nearly a decade, including start-up funds when the center launched in 2016.
The 24/7 call-in navigation center is available to all patients, caregivers and loved ones across the Avera system, regardless of the type of cancer or where they get their care. “We’ve continued to expand in order to support cancer patients,” Van Beek said. For example, oncology-trained RNs can look to established triage protocols to guide patients in symptom management, saving many patients a trip to the emergency department or clinic. In the last year, the Cancer Navigation Center received nearly 26,000 calls.
Specialized Equipment and Comfort Items
Specialized equipment to deliver state-of-the-art therapies is purchased with race funds, plus home equipment such as blood pressure machines, glucose monitors and pulse oximeters that patients would have to otherwise pay for out of pocket.
Small yet important comfort items include water bottles, pillows for post-mastectomy, dignity robes for breast imaging, blanket warmers or other items specific to a patient’s diagnosis.
At some locations, volunteers round during the noon hour and offer to get patients a hot meal for lunch during their treatment. Infusion centers also have an array of drinks and snacks for patients – this is all thanks to the Avera Race.
Cancer Survivors Day
Special events are important for people on the cancer care journey, including local Cancer Survivors Day gatherings. Last year, 1,300 people in Sioux Falls alone took advantage of this opportunity to celebrate survivorship. “Thanks to treatments that are improving all the time, more people than ever before are moving forward with life as cancer survivors. It’s very special and meaningful to celebrate this with others on the same journey,” Van Beek said.
Light of Day
This program is designed to support loved ones who are grieving the loss of a loved one to cancer. “Our teams, providers and staff grieve these losses along with the families and friends who have lost their loved one. This program is a meaningful way for us all to support one another through this difficult time,” Van Beek said. The program allows the care teams to send a sympathy card to the grieving family, along with another letter of support and additional resources mailed a few weeks later. “At the one-year anniversary, we mail another letter of support and comfort along with a special remembrance gift. It is a meaningful time for us all through navigating the complexities of grief.”
Just-in-Time Assistance
The above are just a few of the main categories for race dollars, yet there’s more, including financial support for just-in-time needs. “This includes help with travel expense, lodging or other supportive services. We also set aside funds for genetic testing or mental health counseling for people who could benefit from these services, but don’t have insurance coverage or can’t afford the out-of-pocket cost,” Van Beek said.
