BREWER — Champion the Cure Challenge, the region’s only event whose proceeds fund local cancer treatment and research, will officially kick off its 15th season on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m.
During this virtual kickoff event, participants will hear inspiring patient stories and learn how the funds raised are directly helping friends and neighbors who are living with cancer. Fundraising ideas will be shared, and individuals will have the opportunity to win some great prizes.
Since the first event in 2010, Champion the Cure Challenge has raised more than $7.2 million to benefit patient care and research at Northern Light Cancer Care.
Each year, The Challenge recognizes several honorees who are extraordinarily dedicated to the cause. Champion the Cure Challenge is pleased to recognize its 2024 honorees:
Gillian Rose, honorary chair
Gillian first participated in Champion the Cure Challenge nine years ago at the young age of 84. Her passion for this event is fueled from experience as she knows firsthand the toll that cancer can take. Gillian’s mother had breast cancer; her niece was treated for breast cancer; and Gillian’s daughter lost her life to cancer. As a breast cancer survivor herself, Gillian has not let cancer slow her down. Each year she fundraises to help find a cure and make people aware of how they can prevent cancer. She’ll be joining The Challenge once again cycling on Aug. 17.
Betsy Vickery, Terry Fox Award
Well known in the community through her role as vice president at W.S. Emerson Company in Brewer, Betsy has been an advocate for Champion the Cure Challenge since its earliest days. A family-owned company for three generations, W.S. Emerson has been a leading sponsor of the event, printing tens of thousands of t-shirts, hats, and other items for the Challenge. In addition, W.S. Emerson employees have participated as a team in numerous Challenge events.
In recent years, the Challenge has become even more personal to the employees at W.S. Emerson and the Vickery family, as Betsy faced her own cancer diagnosis. Since then, she has used her connections in the community to advocate for local cancer care and research supported by Champion the Cure Challenge. Furthermore, she has encouraged employees at W.S. Emerson to come together to support their coworkers who are also living with cancer.
Betsy embodies the spirit of the Terry Fox award with her optimistic attitude, energetic personality, and longstanding support of cancer patients in Maine and cancer care at Northern Light Health.
The Stone Doctors, Community Champion
The Stone Doctors is a Rolling Stones cover band which donates 100 percent of their profits to charity. Founded by Ian Dickey, MD, of Bangor, the group’s past and present members include doctors, engineers, and other professionals from across the United States and Canada. In 2014, The Stone Doctors took to the stage at their first “Chords for Cure” benefit concert to help Maine children living with cancer. Since then, they’ve hosted more than 25 events in Bangor and at Sugarloaf, becoming a prominent presence in the community and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Northern Light Pediatric Cancer Care.
Jason’s Pizza, Corporate Champion
Jason’s Pizza has supported Champion the Cure Challenge for several years. Their mouthwatering pizzas are a welcome sight as participants return from their chosen routes. In 2023, Jason’s Pizza was the exclusive food sponsor for the walk/run event, providing pizza to hundreds of community members dedicated to supporting cancer care and research. Jason’s Pizza truly demonstrates the meaning of giving back to the community.
Julie Tribou, RN, Employee Champion
Julie is an enthusiastic cheerleader for Champion the Cure Challenge, going above and beyond to energize her colleagues in participating. Through the years, Julie has organized several unique fundraising events, including “CTCC Swag Days” where employees at Lafayette Family Cancer Institute wear their Champion the Cure Challenge t-shirts, sweatshirts, and other apparel. The Swag Days are always well received as they show support for the event, demonstrate staff commitment to the patients, and help raise critical funds to benefit Northern Light Cancer Care. Julie attends The Challenge each year to cheer all participants on and in 2023 Julie, with the assistance of other team members, successfully captained the largest Champion the Cure Challenge team to date.
Brian Scofield, Volunteer of the Year
Brian has been a reliable source of help for Champion the Cure Challenge for years. He ensures that the event is set up just right and that everyone has what they need. In fact, he’s even been known to find a hot cup of coffee for participants who are needing a caffeine boost! Brian spends all day at the Run/Walk/Cycle events and can always been seen with a smile on his face.
This year’s Champion the Cure Challenge events are scheduled for August, September, and October of 2024. To learn more and register for this year’s Champion the Cure Challenge or the Champion the Cure Virtual Challenge Kickoff on February 6, please visit ctcchallenge.org.
At Northern Light Health, we’re building a better approach to healthcare because we believe people deserve access to care that works for them. As an integrated health delivery system serving Maine, we’re raising the bar with no-nonsense solutions that are leading the way to a healthier future for our state. Our care team—in hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, long-term and home healthcare, behavioral healthcare, and ground and air medical transport and emergency care—are committed to making healthcare work for you: our patients, communities, and employees. To learn more about Northern Light Health and our locations across Maine, visit http://www.northernlighthealth.org.
