Christine and Amy were only 12 and 14 when their mother was diagnosed with cervical cancer in the late 1980s, but Ron and Ann Fournier made sure their daughters were well cared for during Ann’s lengthy treatment and recovery. The Fournier’s neighbors and friends not only helped look after the girls but often took Ann herself back and forth to her many medical appointments. Two decades later, these same friends, who the Fourniers consider “family,” continue to lend their support by participating in the NSMC Cancer WALK.

Walking under the team name Ann and Friends, the group raised over $8,500 in 2008 alone, which was $2,000 more than what they raised the previous year. All told, the group has raised over $20,000 for the NSMC Cancer Center through the years. For the team, and especially for Ann, it’s an effort that’s extremely worth-while. “The nurses are just incredible. They are so kind. Everyone there is,” she explained. As for Ann’s daughters, despite all the hard work raising funds, they call the NSMC Cancer WALK, “one of our favorite days of the year,” “more fun than Christmas—the best holiday of the year.”