Sagan, Toner to lead 23rd annual N.S. Cancer WALK

SWAMPSCOTT – It’s a fortunate and probably rare person whose life hasn’t been touched by cancer in some manner, whether having experienced it personally or had a friend or loved one affected by it.Phyllis Sagan, founder of Sagan Realtors in Swampscott, and Jude Toner, a realtor with Sagan for 28 years, have been doing the North Shore Cancer Walk for years. In 2011 they lost a dear friend and co-worker to breast cancer, and the walk for a cure took on an even greater urgency.”Cancer is hitting so many places and so many people we know,” Sagan said. “Two years ago we lost one of our top agents, Ruthy Paster. She was so well known, so charitable. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for people.”That year, team Sagan Strides for a Cure went into overdrive.”We were very active that year,” Sagan said. ‘We had the largest team and the high grossing team in the cancer walk.”Sagan and Toner are right back at it, only this year they’ve taken on a new role – that of co-chairwomen of the walk.”Jude and I both like to give back to the community,” Sagan said. “We know it’s important. Cancer is such a killer. I have another good friend who is suffering with it right now.”The 23rd annual North Shore Cancer Walk will be held Sunday, June 23. The 10K (6.2 miles) walk starts at Salem Willows at 8:30 a.m. (registration at 7:30 a.m.). There will be no public parking there, but walkers can take a shuttle from Shetland Park. The route will take walkers up Essex Street, around Salem Common, out to Salem State University, to Derby Street and back to Salem Willows. There will be a refreshment tent set up at Salem Willows for the walkers. Rest rooms and water stops will be available for walkers along the route.The atmosphere on the day of the walk is festive and very moving.”Everyone’s very excited. It’s very moving when you read the names on the T-shirts,” Sagan said, adding that the walk not only raises money, but it brings attention to cancer and the work that needs to be done to bring about a cure.Sagan said the walk draws a lot of cancer survivors and the hope is that the number of survivors increases every year.Toner’s life has been touched by cancer a number of times. Her husband is a survivor, but between the two of them they’ve lost a father, sister-in-law, grandmother and brother to cancer.”There’s a need to raise awareness and make a difference,” Toner said. “Everybody can help, even if it’s five dollars, or two dollars.”Toner said getting involved in the walk isn’t a choice, it’s a necessity.”Be inspired by it. Be part of it. You have to make a difference,” she said.Although the purpose of the walk is to address a serious issue, the mood on the day of the walk is different.”It’s such an uplifting, amazing experience,” Toner said. “Your heart goes all over the place. It’s something to be a part of.”This year the money raised will help with the renovation of the inpatient oncology unit at North Shore Medical Center-Salem Hospital. Funds will also go toward wellness services at Mass General Hospital/North Shore in Danvers, Sagan said.Everybody should join us,” Sagan said. “It’s very emotional and you feel darn good when you do it.”Joyce Erekson can be reached at [email protected] Event: North Shore Walk for CancerWhen: Sunday, June 23Where: Registration is at Salem Willows Park at 7:30 a.m. The 10K walk (6.2 miles) begins at 8:30 a.m.Info: To register to walk, get more information on the walk or sponsor a walker, go to http://nsmcgiving.partners.org/walk.