Hope Begins Here

Camilo’s father was diagnosed with cancer when he was 13, and losing him left an unfillable void for his mom and him, because while he was growing up, his father was his biggest hero and friend. Camilo says, “I understand now Life is a gift, and my mom is my company, team and best friend.”

Bridget witnessed firsthand the importance of a strong support system—both within her family and in the medical field. Her father’s recovery after thyroid cancer included physical therapy, and Bridget, too, has faced significant health challenges, undergoing four shoulder surgeries and extensive physical therapy. Inspired by the dedication of her father’s and her own physical therapists, Bridget has chosen to pursue a career in physical therapy.

The Donald Perlman, MD Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Dr. Perlman by his wife Cynthia Perlman and family. The $5,000 scholarship was awarded in 2024 to Kaitlyn Pugh, a high school student from Saugus High School. She plans on attending Endicott College.

Recognizing that ovarian cancer patient may need a little extra help while undergoing treatment, the grant helps fund the Helping Hands program. The program provides meals to patients and their families while in treatment for Ovarian Cancer, with free healthy and easy to prepare meals.

Through personalized fitness, a welcoming community, and compassionate support, Livestrong at the Y offers survivors a pathway back to wellness and empowerment.

Your work is so important in the lives of people it touches.

The Sun Safety/Skin Cancer Prevention program works to reduce the incidence of skin cancer by offering free prevention education and free skin cancer screenings to the public in Dana-Farber’s Blum Family Resource Center Van. All screenings are performed by a board-certified Brigham and Women’s Hospital dermatologist on board the van.

Christopher was originally inspired to pursue a medical degree by his younger brother Timothy, who has downs syndrome and is also on the autism spectrum. Then, while in high school, his father was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and spent a lot of time in hospitals. Consequently, Christopher saw first-hand the positive impact physicians have on their patients. Despite the difficult circumstances at the time, he recognized this remarkable environment was the one for him.

When Braden was eight, he lost his father, his best friend, to cancer. He remembers his father telling him he loved him very much, wanted him to keep being the man he raised him to be, and to continue playing football. Braden always strives to be the best version of himself, to make his father proud and to honor his wishes.

The Debbie Plunkett Memorial Scholarship was established by the Plunkett Family and Friends. Two $1,750 were awarded in 2024. The first to Giselle Vides Perlera, a high school student from Lynn Vocational Technical Institute and to Camilo Cartagena from Lynn Classical High School.

Boston North Cancer Association awarded a grant to the Melanoma Education Foundation to provide facial scanners in 26 North Shore high schools. Facial scanners are an educational tool to help people understand the damaging effects of the sun. Through the use of ultra-violet rays, these scanners allow people to see layers of skin not visible to the naked eye. Used for middle school children through adults, this tool helps identify the areas of your face most impacted by the sun and show the benefits of sunscreen in blocking UV rays.