May 23, 2003

MGHers go above and beyond for a good cause

MGHers from several departments recently dedicated their weekend to
volunteering their expertise and compassion for a good cause at the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer May 3 and 4. These valiant volunteers were from MGH Emergency Services, the MGH Cancer Center and other departments throughout the hospital. In addition, assistance from the MGH Pharmacy, Biomedical Engineering and Materials Management was key to providing the necessary equipment and materials for the event.

The MGH Cancer Center, which was the medical sponsor for the two-day event, provided medical support to the walkers by treating blisters, joint pain and dehydration and making sure the medical stations were properly stocked with supplies.

Leslie Milne, MD, of MGH Emergency Services, served as the medical director and helped treat more than 800 participants in the walk. "The MGH community, particularly Emergency Department nurses and Cancer Center volunteers, rallied around this cause and delivered excellent care," says Milne. "The staff was resourceful and creative in finding ways to treat patients under circumstances that may have been outside their normal work arena."

Ruth Stokes, also of MGH Emergency Services, provided administrative
leadership for the medical team as she had done in previous years.

"The hospital should be very proud of the many staff who worked tirelessly at this very important event,"says Bruce Chabner, MD, clinical director of the Cancer Center. "Dr. Milne and her medical crew were outstanding, and we cannot thank them enough for representing the institution so well."

A group of MGH volunteers pose for a photo at the Avon walk.