Annual Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice Event Supports Hospice Patient Care
Nearly 200 people spent part of their Sunday morning keeping the memory of 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 in Farmington Sunday. Most of those who participated were members of a team that raised 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 which affects 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. Patti 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.”
This was just one of many stories told and memories shared over the course of the day. Alicia Bell, her family and several friends walked in memory of Alicia’s mom, Sandi Fletcher, who died at age 46 after an eight-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 that she would love knowing that she was helping out because people were participating in her memory.” Alicia 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 that 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.
