FARMINGTON — Nearly 200 people spent part of their Sunday morning keeping the memory of loved a loved one alive while supporting an important cause.
The seventh annual Androscoggin Hospice House 5K and Remembrance Walk started and ended at the Franklin County Superior Court Sunday, May 6. Most of those who participated were members of a team raising funds to help support patient care at the Hospice House. In the end, $8,400 was raised.
“Last year, we provided more than $1.3 million in free care to those who could not afford it,” said Androscoggin President and CEO Ken Albert. “Community events like the 5K help us stay true to our non-profit mission of never turning someone away who needs our help — and every donation matters.”
The largest group was Team Addilyn, walking in memory of Addilyn Sophia Davis and to raise awareness of the importance of screening for Krabbe Disease. Addilyn died in 2015 at age 4 from this disease affecting the central nervous system. The 30-plus member team crossed the finish line together at the end of the walk with Addilyn’s father, Kyle, holding a framed photo of his daughter for all to see.
“I will never be able to express my gratitude to the entire Androscoggin team, but especially to Addilyn’s nurse, Patti,” wrote Addilyn’s mom Jamie on Facebook. “After first calling Kyle to let him know she had passed, I then called Patti, who was dealing with her own family emergency, and she still came here on the morning of October 21st, 2015, to be here for our family. “She offered so much comfort when really there was none… Words fall short of describing just how incredible she is and how much I genuinely appreciate the services, advice and understanding she offered throughout the process of losing our precious girl.”
That story was just one of many. Alicia Bell, her family and several friends walked in memory of Bell’s mother, Sandi Fletcher, who died at age 46 after an 8-year battle with ovarian cancer.
“My mother was full of life throughout the illness,” Bell said. “She was a very giving person, and I know she would love knowing she was helping out because people were participating in her memory.” Bell was joined by her husband, Josh, and her three boys, Nicholas, Johnny and Andy, in the race. Andy was the youngest runner at age six and finished 22nd overall.
Nana’s Team was formed in memory of Elizabeth Thomas, who was well-known in the village of Chesterville. “She loved kids and grandkids; that’s why it’s Nana’s Team,” said Elizabeth Thomas. “She was always outside, and she loved her gardens and flowers.”
Granddaughter Katie Cassidy, one of the race’s planning committee members, said the care her grandmother and great-grandfather received from Androscoggin compelled her to support the organization. “Whether it was in-home care or care at the Hospice House, you couldn’t ask for anything better,” she said.
For the second consecutive year, Tina Meserve was the top overall finisher with a time of 21 minutes, 46.6 seconds. Complete race results can be found at www.back40events.com/results. The top fundraising team was Juddy’s Joggenauts, which raised more than $1,700.
Androscoggin Home Healthcare and Hospice is the largest, non-profit independent home health and hospice organization in the state. For more information, call 207-777-7740 ext. 1311 or visit www.androcoggin.org.
PHOTO: Team Addilyn, which walked in the Androscoggin Home Healthcare and Hospice House 5K and Remembrance Walk in memory of Addilyn Sophia Davis and to raise awareness of Krabbe Disease, crossed the finish line together. (Submitted photo)
