June 4, 2004

Walking with hope

It began with two brave women battling breast cancer who wanted to do something to help others who might face this terrible disease. "Friends with Hope" was started
in January 2000 by Cheryl Cavallo and Janet Ballantine to help raise money through an annual walkathon for critical breast cancer research and to help educate women and men about early detection. Proceeds from the walkathons go to breast cancer research at the MGH.

Since the organization's inception, both women have lost their lives, but their legacy lives on with the Friends with Hope 5K walk that is now in its fifth year. The walk will be held June 27 from 8 to 11 am in Pembroke, Mass.

From left, seated, Karen Ballantine and Laurie Griffin. Standing, Barbara Smith, MD, Daniel Ballantine, Hazel Brown and Michele Gadd, MD.

Janet Ballantine's husband, Daniel, their daughter, Karen, and two family friends recently visited the MGH Cancer Center to give an additional gift of $30,000 to support the breast cancer research of Barbara Smith, MD.

For more information about the walk, visit www.friendswithhope.com.