STAMFORD, CT/June 2009 - Hope in Motion — Walk, Run & Ride celebrated its 14th  anniversary on June 7, 2009 with a warm, sunny day that attracted more than 4,000 walkers, runners and riders to Columbus Park in downtown Stamford.  Participants took to the streets to commemorate National Cancer Survivors Day^®, raise vital dollars for local cancer programs and services, and honor those whose lives have been touched by the disease. 
 

The community responded with great enthusiasm and generosity to this year’s event in spite of a tough economy.  While results are still being tabulated as donations are accepted until the end of September, more than $700,000 has already been collected. "We are confident that this year’s event will raise as much as last year for Stamford Hospital's Bennett Cancer Center’s programs and services," stated Elizabeth Manfredo, Director of Oncology Services.  "Every dollar donated to Hope in Motion makes a difference in the lives of local cancer patients  whether providing state-of-the-art treatments, or free rides back and forth to treatments, grants to those having financial issues and integrative services to reduce pain and stress.  We are overjoyed with the success of this year's event, and thank everyone who participated for making it such a wonderful day."
 

On event day, participants from all over Fairfield County arrived in Columbus Park. A remarkable team of over 120 volunteers and a crew of people from all branches of local government guided the participants through the streets for the three events. At 7:30 a.m. the riders took off on a 50 mile route that traversed all of Stamford and into Westchester County and back. At 9:00 a.m. a record 700 Runners ran a 5K route through the downtown area. At 10:00 a.m. walkers of all ages went up Bedford Street and returned via Summer Street. 
 

On stage, the UBS choir sang the national anthem; dignitaries were introduced to the crowd (Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele, Mayor Dannell Malloy, Darrell Harvey (Co-CEO of The Ashforth Company, the founding and presenting sponsor) and Brian Grissler (CEO of Stamford Hospital); Magical Music for Life, a youth singing group from New Canaan, performed; Music in Motion dj's kept the music pumping; and after the events the Ska band, DBF, performed some lively tunes that had people dancing in the street.
 

Rest stops sponsored by UBS and Synapse provided walkers with encouragement as well as water donated by Crystal Rock and orange slices donated by Costco for refreshment.  A dozen restaurants offered discounts for participants who wanted lunch, snacks or dinner after the event.
 

Continued updates on fundraising, photos from the event, and, in the Fall, a Tribute Book will be available for viewing at www.hope-in-motion.org  until the end of the year. The date for the 15th anniversary event is Sunday, June 6, 2009.