The eighth annual Paddle for a Cure, held Sunday, June 10 at Riverside Park in Brooklyn, CT, has raised $9,500 for the Rose Bove LaRose Cancer Center at Day Kimball Hospital. The funds will support the Cancer Center’s efforts to continually provide the most up to date facilities and technologies for the patients who receive care at the nationally accredited cancer center each year. Last year more than 5,700 treatments were provided in their infusion clinic.

Paddle for a Cure is a kayaking event founded and organized by Northeast Connecticut native Lance Collins, an avid kayaker who has lost five family members to cancer, most recently his uncle in 2010. His uncle’s passing prompted Collins to organize the first Paddle for a Cure in 2011. The annual event has now raised more than $74,000 in total for the cancer center at Day Kimball Hospital.

“We are so grateful and humbled by the generosity of Lance Collins and his family,” said DKH Director of Critical Care and Cancer Services Carolina Starr-Manning. “Year after year Lance’s dedication has continued to benefit the care of those fighting cancer in our community. The money raised at this year’s event will be used towards the purchase of three new, state-of-the-art patient beds that will deliver the most advanced standard of care to our patients and caregivers. We wouldn’t have been able to accomplish this without all that the Collins family and team have done.”

DKH Director of Development Kristen Willis echoed Starr-Manning’s sentiments. “Once again, we are so appreciative of what Lance and his family have done and continue to do to benefit DKH’s cancer patients. Raising nearly $10,000 for our Oncology Department at this year’s event is truly remarkable, and just goes to show that their loyal and steadfast commitment to DKH and our Oncology program is above and beyond!”

Paddle for a Cure works much the same way as a walk-a-thon such as Relay for Life, but participants paddle instead of walk. Participants collect pledges in recognition of their participation, and all the proceeds are donated to the oncology unit at Day Kimball Hospital. For information about cancer services at Day Kimball Hospital and Paddle for a Cure, visit daykimball.org/cancercare.