Baptist Memorial Hospital Union City - Hometown Walk of Hope

Overview

The Hometown Walk of Hope is a non-profit organization established in 2001 to raise funds to meet the financial needs of Obion County residents who have been diagnosed with cancer. It is a team walking event that utilizes corporate sponsors and teams to raise money to assist cancer patients with needs such as medication, insurance premiums, doctor bills, gasoline, food, and utility bills. The Hometown Walk of Hope deposits the money raised at the event with the Obion County Cancer Agency. This agency consists of 10 volunteer board members who meet on a monthly basis and disperse all monies back to Obion County cancer patients in financial need.

Impact

An estimated 1,000 people from the community formally participate through walking or working at fundraising events. Another 3,000 people attend the Hometown Walk of Hope on the day of the event, usually held the first Saturday in June, and support the cause financially by buying various food items and participating in games and activities. During its first year, the Hometown Walk of Hope raised $60,000. In 2012, more than $175,000 was raised. Over the lifetime of the event, the Hometown Walk of Hope has raised more than $1.7 million. It comes to the aid of approximately 60 patients per month.

Challenges/success factors

The success of the event is the direct result of the hard work that takes place throughout the year and the tremendous support provided by the community, which has truly embraced this project.

Future direction/sustainability

The Walk has taken on a life of its own as a result of the generosity of the community. Businesses contribute at least $100,000 each year through sponsorships and fundraisers that are held throughout the year. A big motivating factor is that community members know that all money raised will stay in the county to help people they know personally who are struggling with cancer.

Advice to others

Participate fully and generously in the event. Baptist Memorial Hospital has been a corporate sponsor and has had a team in the Hometown Walk of Hope since its inception in 2001. During this time, the hospital and its staff have contributed approximately $120,000. Additionally, the hospital hosts the monthly Obion County Cancer Agency board meetings, furnishes lunch for board members, and provides countless hours of staff time to work with the agency. Currently, four members of the Obion County Cancer Agency Board of Directors are also Baptist Memorial Hospital employees.

Contact: Lorraine Gossett Beachum
Director, Wellness and Industrial Relations
Telephone: 731-884-0110
E-mail: Lorraine.Gossett@bmhcc.org