In 2013 Lindsay McGloughlin, an Ayer resident and 28-year-old mother of 18-month old Charlie, had just started a new job as a firefighter and an EMT with the Concord Fire Department when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. With the unwavering support of her new co-workers, her friends, and her family, she began a six- month journey to regain her health.
Said Ms. McGloughlin, “It was very hard to be diagnosed as the mother of a very young child. The first thing that came to my mind was Charlie. I can’t leave him without me. That maternal instinct kicked in. Time to fight! I couldn’t pick him up after surgery, I couldn’t hug him. Charlie has no idea how much he encouraged me, supported me, and motivated me.”
Ms. McGloughlin received all of her care at Emerson Hospital, including a bi-lateral mastectomy, reconstruction, and ongoing follow-up care at the Mass General Cancer Center at Emerson Hospital - Bethke in Concord. “The staff at Emerson is compassionate and caring. When you are with your doctor you feel like you are their only patient, and they will do whatever they can to make you better. They take the time to get to know you,” she said.
Once she was feeling better, Ms. McGloughlin wanted to do something to show her appreciation to Emerson Hospital and the cancer center. “They saved my life and I wanted to give back,” she said. As someone who loves to run and be active, she knew the 2014 Emerson Hospital 5K Run~Walk for Cancer, hosted by the Emerson Hospital Auxiliary, was a great way to contribute.
“I love doing 5Ks and getting out and exercising, and to be able to do it for this cause is very rewarding. It is nice to be able to help something locally. It is a great run-walk, well organized. My team was called “Fighting Like Girls,” and I loved not just the run, but the activities afterwards, the cookout, and the family-friendly fun. It is not just a race. It is an event. If you are going to do a race why not do one for a good cause? Everybody who lives locally has a story with Emerson. The fact that we have such a great facility so close to home is something we should all support. You don’t know how lucky you are until you need them!”
This year’s Emerson Hospital 5K Run ~ Walk for Cancer will be held at The Thoreau Club in Concord, on Saturday morning, May 30. Visit www.EmersonHospital.org/5k for event details, to register to run or walk, and to make a donation to support cancer care at Emerson, your community hospital. Cambridge Savings Bank is the presenting sponsor of this year's event. Online registration is available until 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, May 28. Walk-in registrations the day of the event are welcome!
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The Mass General Cancer Center at Emerson Hospital-Bethke brings together experienced cancer specialists, leading-edge technology, and the latest treatment options for patients in Emerson’s service area. Emerson’s close collaboration with Mass General’s main campus downtown means patients receive world-class cancer care right in their neighborhood. Learn more: http://www.emersonhospital.org/MedServicesAndCenters/Centers/Bethke.aspx.
Emerson Hospital is a multi-site health system headquartered in Concord, Mass., with additional facilities in Sudbury, Groton, and Westford. The 179-bed hospital provides advanced medical services to more than 300,000 individuals in 25 towns. For more information about Emerson Hospital visit www.emersonhospital.org.
The Emerson Hospital Auxiliary supports Emerson through increased community awareness, health-related education, and fundraising initiatives. Over the past decade, the Auxiliary’s fundraising efforts have raised more than $2.5M for hospital equipment, facilities, and services.
