Nicole Podkowa 5K Returns to Support Southcoast Health Cancer Patients

One of the area's more successful fundraising events is happening Sunday, October 4 to support patients being treated at Southcoast Health Cancer Care facilities in Fairhaven and Fall River.

The Nicole Podkowa 5K Run and Walk raised more than $175,000 last year. Nicole was the wife of Dr. John Podkowa, Executive Chief of Primary Care at Southcoast Health. She passed away from breast cancer in 2016.

Dr. Podkowa and Becky Schlosser, Director of Medical Oncology at Southcoast Health, visited Townsquare Sunday to discuss the road race and the amazing work carried out at Southcoast Health Cancer Care.

Honoring Nicole Podkowa’s Legacy Through Community Support

"For Nicole and I, running was one of our favorite things to do," Dr. Podkowa said. "Thinking about what she cared about, and what she stood for, she sincerely wanted to help anyone involved with their cancer journey."

Get our free mobile app

"Our family was so grateful for the care Nicole received at the Southcoast Health Cancer Care program," he said. "We came up with the idea for an annual event, named after Nicole, to continue to raise money for the program's patient care fund."

How the Patient Care Fund Directly Helps Patients

Schlosser said everything cancer patients need is available at both Cancer Care facilities in Fairhaven and Fall River. "We want to make sure that cancer patients focus on going through their journey and healing," she said. "Transportation, paying their rent or mortgages and utilities is not what they should be stressed about during their treatment."

That's where the Nicole Podkowa Patient Care and Caregiver Fund comes in. All of the proceeds from the road race, plus other donations that come in during the year, go directly into the Patient Care and Caregiver Fund.

"We'll use the money to provide financial assistance to help patients pay their rent, utility bills, or other household expenses that come up during their treatment," Schlosser said.

READ MORE: These Fairhaven Cows Keep Cancer Patients Company

"I think the road race resonates for a lot of people because, unfortunately cancer affects so many people," Podkowa said. "That's the bad news about cancer. The good news is with the treatments we have available to us, and the advances in medicine, more and more people are surviving, so there's more people on the other side wanting to give back."

"The race is a small way where we can give back, and help the greater cause," he said.

Event Details, Registration, and Location Info

You can register for the Nicole Podkowa 5K Run and Walk online. There is a $40 registration fee. Registration on site begins at 7:30 a.m. at Southcoast Health Cancer Care, located at 206 Mill Road in Fairhaven.

You can also make a donation directly online as well, and WBSM's Tim Weisberg will be walking in the event for the fourth year if you would like to donate to his fundraising efforts.

If you would like your nonprofit or charitable event featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.