CPL. Ciara M. Durkin - Donations in Ciaras Memory

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US DURING THE 2007 QUINCY CENTER MEDICAL CENTER'S CANCER WALK!!!

It's with great satisfaction to announce that all those who donated in Ciara's memory in 2007 helped bring the fund 50% over its goal of $5,000.00 to $7,500.00! See the email below from the Quincy Medical Center sending thanks to all those who participated in the 10th Annual Quincy Medical Center Cancer Walk.

As some of you may know, both Ciara's mother and sister are cancer survivors, and the foundation was close to Ciara's heart. These donations will be used to purchase cancer screening equipment in Ciara's memory for Quincy Medical Center. The screening will be made available to those who are unable to afford screening for themselves. It's fitting that the equipment purchased in her memory will be used to help others even though Ciara is no longer with us.

If you wish to make a donation to Ciara's favorite foundation please visit www.firstgiving.com/positivethinker. The foundation will close on November 31, 2007. The family is very grateful for all the donations made by family, friends, and strangers.

As you'll notice on the FirstGiving/PositiveThinker website, on August 1st, Ciara donated $100 to this cause when she was serving in Afghanistan. When she made this donation she wrote:
"I give because I learned to stay strong here in Afghanistan because of your courage. I Love You."

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Email Dated: November 21, 2007
Subject: Thanks For Giving!

Thank you for your record-breaking support of the 10th Annual QMC Cancer Walk!

You did it!

This year's QMC Cancer Walk to benefit the Marie A. Curry Fund set new records in all categories, including the most participants - nearly 1,500 of you - most number of teams, most funds raised on-line and the most raised overall, which is currently at $201,000 and counting! This figure is a 48% increase in gross revenue from our last event. Thank you!

"We are overwhelmed by the generosity of our community," said Gary W. Gibbons, MD, CEO and President of Quincy Medical Center. "These funds help ensure that our community can get cancer treatment right here in Quincy. It means we can work together to raise awareness about early detection and save lives."

Your funds are being put to good use! 90 cents of every dollar raised at this year's Walk will go directly to support the Marie A. Curry Fund.

From all of us at Quincy Medical Center, thank you for your support of the QMC Cancer Walk and best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving.

How you made a difference
Funds from this year's Walk will go to support the following:
a.. Year-round breast cancer screenings for women in need
b.. Annual Marie Curry Breast Cancer Symposium for clinicians and caregivers
c.. Annual prostate cancer screening at QMC - held on November 8th with more than 30 men screened.
d.. Annual skin cancer screening at QMC in Spring 2008
e.. Purchase of equipment for cancer care services - including the recent purchase of a stereotactic breast biopsy machine

Save the date!
The 11th Annual Walk
September 28, 2008

Now is the perfect time to thank those who supported your fund-raising efforts.

Tell them how much money you and your team raised. Send them your team photo. And invite them to join you next year!!

To make a year-end tax-deductible charitable contribution send your check to:
Quincy Medical Center Development Office, 114 Whitwell Street, Quincy, MA 02169 or visit www.quincymc.org.
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As many of you know, each year our family and friends participate in a walk to raise money for cancer prevention. Our mother, Angela, and our sister Deirdre, are both breast cancer survivors, but we had been doing this walk for many years before Deirdre's diagnosis. In fact, it was this very Medical Center that detected and prevented Deirdre's cancer from spreading due to early detection.

This year, the walk is especially dear to our hearts because it coincides with
the first anniversary of our darling sister Ciara's passing. Ciara died in Afghanistan
on the 28th of September, 2007. While Ciara was in Afghanistan, she made an online donation with the dedication: "I give because I learned to stay strong here in Afghanistan
because of your courage. I love you".

In honor of Ciara, the hospital's Cancer Resource Library is being renamed
the "Ciara Durkin Resource Center."

Joining our team of walkers this year is our mother. She is
participating in the walk for the first time in memory of Ciara.

We hope that you will visit our webpage at http://www.firstgiving.com/positivethinkers (link below) and make a donation for this very worthy cause.