SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Central Catholic School concluded its 15th annual Pink Day by presenting a check for $2,061 to Saratoga Hospital’s Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center on Oct. 25.
The money was raised in collaboration with St. Clement’s School and St. Mary’s School, both of whom had representatives on hand to help present the check to Renée Russell, director of the Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center.
Funds will be donated to the Radiation Oncology Center’s Cancer Patient Fund. Russell said the funds will support assisting patients with transportation to and from treatments and appointments, as well as helping with things such as childcare, copay assistance, buying groceries, gas, or rent expenses.
“I would say the biggest challenge that most patients have is getting transportation to and from every day for their treatments,” said Russell. “As an example, with radiation therapy, usually you have to come five days a week, and you need to get a ride to and back home. That’s a really big challenge for people. So we use a lot of the cancer patient funds to support them. We have a really good connection with Saratoga Hybrid Cab, so we can provide transportation to and from treatments.”
Russell also noted they have hired two massage therapists to provide free massages to patients going through treatment. The hospital also hosts an annual retreat in Lake George for cancer survivors, with Russell adding that funds donated help support all of these initiatives and more.
At Saratoga Catholic, students raised money by participating in a ‘pink dress-down’ day, wearing pink instead of their typical school uniforms. Students donated $3 to participate, but Student Council advisor Maria Izzo said many chose to donate much more.
“The middle school class who wore the most pink was awarded, and then the high school class that wore the most pink was rewarded,” Izzo said. “It’s a three-dollar dress-down day, but there’s 20-dollar bills that are given. There’s a hundred-dollar check. People really go above and beyond what they have to, because they know it’s a worthy cause.”
Russell expressed her appreciation, noting that donations and other similar fundraisers help Cancer Patient Fund continue to provide its services to patients. She added the support also shows patients that the community is thinking of and supporting them.
“It just goes to show, and I always say this to patients, people are thinking about them, even though they might not directly know them,” said Russell. “I think that above and beyond the money, it also is a comfort to know that people are rooting for them and wanting to support them when they’re going through a diagnosis of cancer, which is hard enough.”
She added it is meaningful for money raised locally to remain in the community, and said the Cancer Patient Fund comes in “amazing use” to support patients.
“I think the good thing about it is the money that’s being raised here is also staying here, to help people that live in this community,” Russell said.
Izzo added that it is meaningful to be assisted by St. Clement’s and St. Mary’s Schools, saying she is “honored and proud” to support Saratoga Hospital and the Radiation Oncology Center.
“And St. Clement’s and St. Mary’s, the kids love it,” said Izzo. “They were extremely generous. It’s a pretty good number for three schools.”
“I think it’s really sending a message to people that there’s other people in the community that have been impacted by this,” added Russell of the fundraiser. “A lot of times, people will be like, ‘What can I do to help you?’ This is a way that people can help people. They don’t have to ask, they’re already just doing it. I think that’s a strong message to share with people.”
